Reimagining how Materials are Used to Drive Circularity

CRH is creating value through our significant contribution to the circular economy. As a leader in recycling, we are integrating large amounts of by-products and waste materials from other industries into our products and processes. We are also focused on delivering circular solutions that are longer lasting, have higher recycled content and can be re-used, repaired, and recycled.

For decades, we have been innovating new technologies by collaborating and applying our expertise in material science, design and engineering to drive materials efficiency across the life-cycle of our products and the buildings and infrastructure made from them. By using resources efficiently, we are able to preserve finite natural resources and extend the life of our reserves.

Key Facts

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million tonnes of by-products and wastes from other industries recycled in 2023

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% of the process waste generated by our operating companies in 2023 was externally recycled

Case Studies

Examples of how our business is accelerating the transition to a circular economy.

Changing the Way the Future is Paved

Texas Materials, in CRH’s Americas Division, pioneered the first large-scale use of a more sustainable asphalt mix called Super Sand Mix (SSM) in the...

Changing the Way the Future is Paved

Texas Materials, in CRH’s Americas Division, pioneered the first large-scale use of a more sustainable asphalt mix called Super Sand Mix (SSM) in the city of Fort Worth in the U.S. SSM is an innovative, highly durable, fiber-reinforced asphalt, specially formulated to enhance the surface texture of city streets and rural county roads. The new design incorporated c.18,500 used tires, c.2,100 tonnes of RAS and has a carbon footprint 17% lower than traditional designs. SSM is expected to achieve double the lifespan of a traditional product.

Developing Customer-Focused Circular Solutions

CRH works with our customers to create circular solutions and finds new applications for by-products and waste materials. For example, Google...

Developing Customer-Focused Circular Solutions

CRH works with our customers to create circular solutions and finds new applications for by-products and waste materials. For example, Google required a new lightweight handhole solution for its growing fiber optic cable installation business. A handhole is an underground enclosure to house and provide access to fiber optic cables. Oldcastle Infrastructure, in CRH’s Americas Division, collaborated with Google to create an innovative, lighter weight handhole product, Duralite®. In addition, the production process incorporates the recycling of plastic materials.

Partnering to Create Innovative Circular Solutions

CRH brings together different industries and materials to create innovative circular solutions. The Shelly Company, in CRH’s Americas Division,...

Partnering to Create Innovative Circular Solutions

CRH brings together different industries and materials to create innovative circular solutions. The Shelly Company, in CRH’s Americas Division, partnered with Cargill to trial a new bio-binder product in Aurora, Ohio, U.S. Engineered from soybean oil, the bio-binder partially replaced the bitumen traditionally used in road pavements. The design also included 40% of RAP sourced from old road surfaces. These innovations significantly increased circularity and lowered the carbon footprint without compromising on quality.


Our Targets and Progress


95% of companies to have Waste Recycling Programs in place

Building on our leadership position in using waste and by-products from other industries, we are supporting the transition to a more circular economy by taking a collaborative, whole life approach to the design of products, buildings and infrastructure to eliminate waste, maximize resource efficiency and prolong the life-cycle of structures.

We are the largest recycler in North America and across our business we use 164 times more by-products and wastes from other industries than we send for disposal from our own processes. Through our $250 million Venturing and Innovation Fund, our Innovation Center for Sustainable Construction (iCSC), and CRH Ventures, we are building a pipeline of new business models and circular solutions.

Our 2023 performance:

  • To embed circularity within our business, we set a target for 95% of our operating companies to have waste recycling programmes in place by 2030, which we have already achieved.

Find out more about what we are doing on Circularity:

2023 Sustainability Performance Report