Sludge, metal slag, glass and ash. The makings of a concrete replacement? Called the Bitublock, Dr. John Forth, from the University of Leeds, hopes it will become a sustainable substitute for concrete blocks.
The problem with concrete is the amount of energy required and new material needed to create it. The Bitublock solves these problems by using less energy and up to 100% post-consumer material. Up to 490,000 tons of glass and 551,000 tons of ash could be saved if Bitublocks were used instead of concrete in the UK. Not only eco-friendly, the Bitublocks are structurally sound too, being six times stronger than concrete.
The Bitublock has three to five years until it will be ready commercially and plans to use waste vegetable oil to create a "Vegeblock" are also in the works
Building materials are a great example of a resource that we can't just stop using. More innovations like these are needed not only to increase recycling, but to increase the quality and longevity of structures. A win, win for the environment and consumers.
Via ScienceDaily
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written by GTW, April 26, 2007
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written by Cynthia Shelton, April 27, 2007
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written by Jen, June 18, 2007
Joe: "Yep, this wall in environmentally sound. It's made of sludge and glass, metal and ash..."
Sam: "But isn't sludge--"
Joe: "Here, why don't I go get us a nice cup of coffee..."
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"Japan has been making blocks out of sludge for ten years plus. This mi..."
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