Leaching in concretes containing recycled ceramic aggregate from the sanitary ware industry

• The ceramic waste analysed from the sanitary ware industry.
• We used the method described in European standard EN 14944.
• We analysed the leachability in recycled concrete and its effect in quality drinking water.
• The new concretes were classified as inert materials.

The re-use of construction and demolition, ceramic and similar waste in the construction industry has aroused considerable interest in recent years, as an avenue for furthering the sustainable use of resources and reducing the volume of waste dumped in landfills.Recycling materials as components in the manufacture of cement-based products, however, calls for an understanding of the leachability of the elements present in the new materials that may be harmful to human health or the respective ecosystems. The present study addresses the effect of including recycled ceramic sanitary ware waste as a partial substitute (25%) for natural coarse aggregate in the manufacture of recycled concrete in direct contact with water intended for human consumption. The findings show that the inclusion of ceramic aggregate raises the alkali concentration (Na and K) slightly and lowers the concentration of other elements (B, Si, Cl and Mg) in the water. The levels of all the leached elements were observed to be lower than the limits specified in the legislation in effect on water for human consumption. Consequently, these new concretes are apt for use in such applications, for they ensure water quality.