Tips on Recycling Bricks

Before you throw away those old bricks, think about the great ways in which to reuse or recycle them. The popularity of brick recycling is on the rise.

The reason for this is twofold:

1. Americans have become more conscious about recycling and the recycling programs available to them in their communities.
2. The demand for used brick is on the rise.

Used brick is becoming more and more sought after because of its unique and aged look, as well as its historic appeal. In some areas of the country, antique brick actually goes for a higher price than new brick. Consult with an expert before building with used brick, to ensure the integrity and strength of the brick has not been compromised.

Unused brick can also be recycled. New brick that fails to meet the manufacturers’ standards can be recycled through a crushing process, creating “brick chips.” Those brick chips can be used as a landscape material, or can be reground through the manufacturing process to create new, quality brick. Visit your local salvage yard or contact your local hardware store for great deals on used brick.

Other ways to recycle those used bricks:

• Place a brick in the cistern of your toilet to displace water. The brick takes up volume, decreasing the amount of water used to flush your toilet each time. You can save about 500 gallons of water each year per toilet with just one brick!
• Used bricks make a handsome walkway leading up to your home. It can be made from bricks of all sizes, as long as the structure of the brick is strong.
• For the ambitious, try using recycled bricks to make a brick barbecue or fire pit.
• Use old bricks to line flower beds or gardens in your yard.
• Earn some extra money! Brick can often be sold to local masonry companies for resale as aged brick or ground up to make concrete.