Ecosand

cszjrh · Post: # 65996Post **cszjrh** Mon Jul 11, 2011 12:44 pm

Hi All,

Just checking my local BM for grit sand and noticed they have something called Ecosand. Had no idea what this was so googled it and found it seems to be a recycled glass product: http://www.corletts.com/ecosand.html (though I can't believe it's only produced on the Isle of Man if my BM in Surrey stocks it...)

Anyone any experience of it?

Cheers, John

ken · Post: # 66007Post **ken** Mon Jul 11, 2011 5:31 pm

Me and the gaffer used a 25kg bag of recycled glass to make concrete to lay a piece of sandstone a while back. I canâ€™t remember if it was a product trial or just some thing we did out of interest as he had a bag of the stuff knockin about. The end result was the same as using grit sand. Iâ€™m sure he said its use was mainly aimed for areas miles away from quarries to reduce haulage costs.

local patios and driveway · Mon Jul 11, 2011 5:55 pm

this stuff should not be used as a concrete product its only suitable as a replacement for sharpsand in the right application. ie its perfect for under block paving. i like wrking with it, its cheap and customers like to know we are being as green conscious as possible. you would expect it to perhaps cut your hands at some point but ive never been cut.

ken · Post: # 66015Post **ken** Mon Jul 11, 2011 6:33 pm

Whatâ€™s the reason recycled glass is not suitable for making concrete?

haggistini · Post: # 66016Post **haggistini** Mon Jul 11, 2011 7:24 pm

I found it great for wet weather conditions laying block paving, but the itch pissed me off!!!
I Can't see a problem with it for conc as it has the same properties and aggregate size as sharp sand ,might look like glitter if polished??

Mon Jul 11, 2011 8:04 pm

I have heard of it but never seen it as we are sand rich down here.
i suppose the lack of fines would make it difficult to use for concrete,other than that i thought most aggregates could be used for concret
my old boss told me that when he was a lad in the 40's the apprentice bricklayers had to smash all the chipped bricks up on a friday to make aggregate for concrete,and i still come across concrete with brick aggregate in it now and again ???
LLL

ken · Post: # 66022Post **ken** Mon Jul 11, 2011 8:10 pm

The stuff we used had loads of fines, if it wasnâ€™t bright green and said recycled glass on the bag I wouldnâ€™t have known it wasnâ€™t grit sand.

haggistini · Post: # 66023Post **haggistini** Mon Jul 11, 2011 8:38 pm

Too many fines for my liking it's like rock wool when it gets up your wrists!

cszjrh · Post: # 66039Post **cszjrh** Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:11 am

Although my daughter would probably like the idea of "fairy concrete" with glittery bits in it I'll definitely give it a miss.

Cheers all.

Big Phil · Post: # 66076Post **Big Phil** Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:21 pm

i've seen ecosand as a blend of fine building sand and 5mm crushed glass to make an M Grade concrete sand/block laying sand - works very well. to be honest, i wouldn't fancy using 100% crushed glass.

mickavalon · Post: # 66136Post **mickavalon** Thu Jul 14, 2011 6:56 am

Ultracrete put it in there Eco flowpoint, or used to. I've noticed a lot of companies, especially the Barrow load gangs, are using recycled crush/pipelay in concrete now, not sure about that, as I've seen it with all sorts in, polystyrene, bits of plumbing etc, but if it was good enough for the feckin Romans then hey ho.