Recycled Materials

Recycled Concrete Aggregate

Recycled concrete is old concrete that's been crushed and screened into usable sizes. It comes from torn-up driveways, sidewalks, foundations, and road slabs after a demolition. The pieces are angular with bits of hardened cement paste still stuck to them, so they lock together well when you spread and roll them.

You'll hear it called RCA (short for recycled concrete aggregate), crushed concrete, or recycled base. The color is grayer than natural stone and you'll spot flecks of old cement paste and the occasional bit of sand. It usually costs less per ton than fresh crushed rock from a quarry, which is why it's a popular pick for driveway base, backfill, and job-site fill.

named grade in this family

What people use it for

Driveway base under gravel or asphaltRoad base and subbaseBackfill behind retaining walls and foundationsPipe and utility trench beddingCompacted base under slabs and paversJob-site fill and grading

How to choose within recycled concrete aggregate

Base under something else

Reclaimed concrete or asphalt millings work great as base under a driveway or slab. The layer above hides what's underneath.

When the top layer is visible

Recycled base compacts to grey or dusty tan, not the clean look of fresh crushed stone. Fine under a surface course, off if it's the finish.

Check the source

Reclaimed loads vary by demo site. A supplier who can tell you where the feedstock came from is a better bet than the cheapest yard in town.

All recycled concrete aggregate grades

Recycled Concrete Aggregate (3″ To 6″, Recycled, Concrete, Brown)

Road baseErosion controlGabion fill

3" To 6"

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Other recycled materials families

Recycled Aggregate

Reference

Recycled rock is old concrete and asphalt that's been crushed down and screened to size.

35 grades→

Screenings

Reference

Screenings are the fine leftovers from crushing rock.

5 grades→

Recycled Materials 57 Stone

Reference

Recycled #57 stone is old concrete that's been crushed and screened down to pieces between about 1 inch and 1/4 inch.

3 grades→

Recycled Brick

Reference

Recycled brick is old clay brick crushed down into chunks and chips.

2 grades→

Recycled Materials Asphalt Aggregate

Reference

Recycled asphalt is old road pavement that's been ground back down into gravel-sized pieces.

2 grades→

Recycled Materials 1 Stone

Reference

#1 recycled stone is crushed old concrete screened to a large size, roughly 1½ to 3½ inches across.

1 grade→

Recycled Materials 4 Stone

Reference

#4 recycled concrete is old concrete that's been crushed and screened to pieces between about 3/4 inch and 1½ inches.

1 grade→

Recycled Materials 610 Stone

Reference

Recycled 610 stone is old concrete that's been crushed and screened down to a spread of sizes from about 1 inch to fines.

1 grade→

Recycled Materials 8 Stone

Reference

#8 recycled stone is crushed recycled concrete screened between about 3/8 inch and 1/8 inch.

1 grade→

Recycled Materials Aggregate Base Course

Reference

Recycled base is crushed-up old concrete — sidewalks, curbs, broken slabs, foundations — run through a crusher and screened down to a mix…

1 grade→

Recycled Materials Concrete Aggregate

Reference

Recycled concrete is old concrete that's been crushed and screened back into usable rock.

1 grade→

Recycled Sand

Reference

Recycled sand is the fine stuff left over when crushed concrete, brick, or old asphalt gets processed.

1 grade→

Browse all recycled materials families →