Sustainable Concrete
The leading material in Sustainable Construction

Precast concrete

Precast products can de divided into 10 main types:

1. Architectural cladding
2. Cast stone and other decorative items
3. Drainage - including pipes, culverts and manholes
4. Flooring - including beam and block and hollowcore
5. Masonry - including blocks and walling
6. Paving, landscaping and street furniture
7. Piles and foundations
8. Railway-specific products
9. Roof tiles
10. Structural - including beams, columns and panels.

Sustainability credentials

Recycling	Recycling systems capture virtually all process water, slurry, aggregates or cement and these are re-used in the production process. 85 per cent of the water produced by the precast sector is recycled or re-used.
Resource depletion	25 per cent of aggregates used in the precast sector are recycled or from secondary sources. The sector has set a target to increased the use of additional cementitious materials to 25 per cent. Precast products can often be re-used in thier entirety.
Waste	The precast concrete sector uses more water than it produces. A tonne of precast product uses 218 kilogrammes of secondary materials and by-products and produces only 6 kilogrammes of waste that goes to landfill. Concrete buildings can be designed with less finishes, reducing the associated material waste.
Water	Dependency on mains water supplies is being drastically reduced across the industry as companies adopt recycling systems and alternative water sources, such as rainwater harvesting. 180 litres of water are used per tonne of precast concrete product, 36 per cent of which is from licensed non-mains sources. Water-reducing admixtures also minimise water use.
Biodiversity	Companies with factories in more rurual areas are increasingly committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment. A site in Yorkshire was the first manufacturing site to attain The Wildlife Trust's 'Biodiversity Benchmark'.
Health and safety	The comprehensive British Precast health and safety scheme (CT2010) has helped members reduce their overall incidence rates by two thirds, compared to 2000. Admixtures are used to produce self-compacting concrete which does not require vibration, leading to quieter working environments.

Source: Concrete Credentials: Sustainability, MPA - The Concrete Centre, 2010