Reusability of ashes for the building sector to strengthen the sustainability of waste management

Abstract

Coal, as a fossil fuel, is used to generate power for industrial operation. Two types of industrial ash, including fly and bottom ash, which are solid residues arising from coal burning, are dumped to the landfill with no care for reuse. These wastes consist of environmental issues needing to be resolved. The ashes are used in the production of cement, concrete, aggregates, adobe, brick, and insulation material, in the construction of dam and road, and in geotechnical applications. Construction material is a form of cementitious materials based on ash as source material and it is an environmentally friendly choice against Portland cement releasing a large amount of greenhouse gas to the atmosphere during energy intensive manufacturing process. It is a good alternative to the solution of environmental problems based on the waste ashes in the international scale. In addition to its economic benefits, it is suitable for industrial symbiosis. This chapter explores the reusability of ashes for the building sector to strengthen the sustainability of waste management. © 2018, IGI Global.