Reclaimed Industrial Materials

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to increasing the recycling of industrial materials as part of its Resource Conservation Challenge, a national effort to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by managing materials more efficiently.

Non-hazardous industrial waste materials include items such as gypsum, coal ash, slag, foundry sand, and various construction and demolition materials. Each of these unique by-products can be recycled or re-used in many different ways.

Some of the coolest items we have salvaged over the years come from old industrial buildings, factories, ships, boat yards and railroads. During the first and second Industrial Revolution these obsolete items, which were once a necessity for production, are now the latest rage in design.

As we can see from the illustration, Reclaimed Industrial Materials has many fascinating aspects to explore.

Used steel and metal are practical options when you need solid material without paying new pricing. This category pulls together surplus beams, plate, tube, pipe, and bar stock, along with select non-ferrous metals like aluminum and stainless when available.

For resources to begin salvaging and reusing C&D materials, start with a list of organizations working to reduce the disposal of construction and demolition materials.