Can we recycle concrete?
Concrete is the most widely used substance on earth after water. It\u2019s quite literally the foundation of the modern world, and no wonder - it\u2019s strong, cheap, and mouldable into nearly any shape.
But these benefits come at a cost: concrete production is responsible for around 8% of global CO2 emissions - that\u2019s around three times more than the aviation industry.
Concrete might not look pretty, but given its carbon footprint, should we be more careful about how we use it? And rather than throwing waste into landfill, could we recycle it instead? That\u2019s what Crowdscience listener Catherine wants to know.
To investigate, Marnie Chesterton and Anand Jagatia learn more about what makes concrete such a brilliant and versatile material. It\u2019s down to the chemistry of how cement dries \u2013 which, it turns out, is anything but boring. They find out how the stuff is made, and why that produces so much carbon. And they hear about some ingenious projects to repurpose demolition waste \u2013 including creating underwater habitats for marine life, and using 3D printers to turn crushed concrete into street furniture.
With Prof John Provis, Prof Becky Lunn, Chris LaPorta, Sheryl Lee, Dr Edward Randviir and David Lacy
Presented by Marnie Chesterton and Anand Jagatia.\nProduced by Anand Jagatia for BBC World Service
[Image: Discarded Concrete, Credit: Getty Images]