Many home builders who are looking to minimise the environmental impact of their new buildings. One way to do this is to integrate recycled materials into the manufacturing of new bricks. Here are some options of great ways to use recycled materials in bricks. 

Plastic bricks 

There are a growing number of plastic bricks which are created from recycled plastics. These bricks have a number of environmental benefits including minimising the plastics in landfill, positive wear characteristics and good insulation properties. Plastic bricks are also often very efficient in terms of labour as they are often able to be 'hammered' together without the need for joining materials or assistance from skilled tradespeople. Plastic bricks can be dyed to match colour combinations and have a sleek and modern finish. 

Plastic fibres from degraded plastics can also be used to strengthen new bricks as they can add additional strength and flexibility to bricks whilst reducing the amount of new materials that are needed in each brick. 

Recycled ceramic bricks Another option for using recycled bricks is to take bricks from existing buildings. These can be tumbled and cleansed of dirt and grime which allows them to be reused. These bricks are often different sizes so can take a little more work to lay but create a unique and vibrant finish. These bricks can also be a great way to link the history of a site that is being demolished to a new building, by reusing some of the materials. This can also help a new building to blend in, in an area with many historical buildings. 

Industrial waste

Another option for using recycled materials in bricks is using a small percentage of industrial waste such as excess fly ash. These bricks offer a great chance to redirect material that would otherwise be directed into landfill. These materials can be customised around local industry waste to also minimise the green impact of the bricks by making them less energy intensive to transport. These types of bricks look very similar to 'normal' clay-based brick and can be a good alternative for households that want a traditional look while wanting to use green materials. 

If you are looking to find an environmentally friendly material for your next building project you should research local manufacturer of recycled bricks. These bricks can help to reduce the carbon impact of your building by redirecting materials that would have been headed for landfill.