The New York Movement Towards Green Concrete: Sidewalk and Housing Construction with Recycled glass

Brief

Discover how two Southern Tier teams are transforming sidewalk and housing construction with recycled glass, making strides towards sustainable, green concrete in New York.

Insight

In a significant move towards sustainability, New York is seeing the rise of “green” concrete, a novel construction material aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Spearheaded by KLAW Industries in Binghamton and Alfred University’s Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology, this initiative is a direct response to New York Gov.

Kathy Hochul’s mandate for reduced emissions in state-funded construction projects. Their innovative approach repurposes recycled glass, which would otherwise clutter landfills, replacing about 20% of traditional cement in concrete production. This not only contributes to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 but also enhances the structural integrity of the concrete used in curb, sidewalk, and housing projects across the City of Binghamton and beyond.

KLAW Industries, leveraging glass waste, has developed Pantheon, a mix that substantially lowers carbon footprints and increases the strength of concrete. This has not only garnered repeat customers, including the City of Binghamton and Barney & Dickenson, Inc., but also positioned KLAW at the forefront of sustainable construction materials.

Similarly, Alfred University’s partnership with SQ4D aims to use green glass in 3D-printed houses, further demonstrating the practical applications of this technology. Their collaboration extends to creating durable concrete slabs, reminiscent of ancient Roman engineering, for potential use in marine structures, showcasing the versatility and environmental benefits of green concrete.

Highlight

Their innovative approach repurposes recycled glass, which would otherwise clutter landfills, replacing about 20% of traditional cement in concrete production.
This not only contributes to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 but also enhances the structural integrity of the concrete used in curb, sidewalk, and housing projects across the City of Binghamton and beyond.