Post-consumer waste form the basis of three different types of outdoor modular driveways

The construction sector is in the midst of the green revolution, which not only concerns the recovery of waste during the demolition of all those recyclable materials, but also of new products that can be made, in part or 100% with post-consumer recycled materials .

Manufacturers of construction articles have found some brilliant solutions that can achieve a double goal: to create circular products and reduce, through reuse, waste on the market.

In the field of modular outdoor flooring we consider three different types of products, which have a very different approach to the use of waste, but the whose technical and architectural result fully satisfies the customers.

The products examined are:

• Self-locking blocks in PVC from waste of exhausted cables

• Modular tiles composed of glass waste, bottles, PE bags and ceramic waste

• Modular tiles composed of mixed non-recyclable plastic waste, ashes from blast furnaces and tile waste.

The approaches are different, but the quality of the products and the waste recycling function make it an interesting proposal, to be included in construction sites where sustainability is taken into account.

The recycled and recyclable PVC block is a product in direct competition with the concrete blocks, from which it inherits the drive-over and high compressive strength, but it adds many other improving features, as it is completely insulating, it does not absorb liquids, it is not stained by oil or petrol, it is easily cut by hand, it can be painted and it is not subject to the aggressive action of road salts.

Furthermore, it does not draw on natural resources, water, sand, gravel and has a much more limited environmental impact during production than the production of cement.

The modular tiles formed by glass waste from separate collection, mixed with PE waste and ceramic waste, are a good solution not only for recycling composed of different materials, but also for the durability of the element that sees in the ceramic and especially in the glass an important strength over time.

These tiles are also suitable for vehicles, resistant to road salts and abrasion from vehicular traffic, by virtue of the ground glass contained.

Finally, the modular tiles made up of non-recyclable waste from separate collection, mixed with the ashes of blast furnaces and with the waste of exhausted ground tiles, give a pleasant appearance aesthetic to the floor and an excellent green passport on recycling as they use two components classified as non-recyclable waste and therefore to be disposed of in landfills, thus far beyond traditional recycled materials.

They are modular tiles that are normally used in pedestrian crossings, squares and sidewalks, making the building restoration of the area sustainable.

Automatic translation. We apologize for any inaccuracies. Original article in Italian.