Uses of waste materials and by-products in construction. Part I

A survey has been made of the sources, amounts and methods of disposal of major mining, industrial and municipal wastes and by-products available in the 48 conterminous states of the United States. This includes the present and potential uses of these wastes and by-products as construction materials.

While more than 3 × 10⁹ tons (Mg) of waste materials and byproducts are generated annually in the United States, only small amounts are being used by the construction industry. The low level of use does not yet reflect the advances being made in converting wastes into viable construction materials. In several cases, construction materials produced from wastes have been at least the technological equivalent of materials produced from virgin resources. Factors which are impeding the increased utilization of wastes are discussed, and emerging incentives which could facilitate their increased use are covered.