Flooding has become an ongoing issue for the residents of Blackpool, England, in recent years, but a new idea could greatly alleviate the problem.
However, a novel concrete mix introduced this year by the University of Central Lancashire’s Centre for Waste Management could form part of the solution. The green concrete integrates an unusual ingredient: discarded shellfish waste from a nearby fish processor.
When crushed, the shells’ shape enhances the porosity of the concrete and allows water to drain quickly rather than accumulate on the surface. In coastal cities like Blackpool, which are at high risk of inundation due to both floods and a lack of greenery, concrete can double as both construction material and an urban drainage system.
Incorporating food waste material has enormous potential to mitigate emissions from the cement industry (which accounts for over 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions) by decreasing the amount of emissions-heavy aggregate added to concrete to enhance durability.
The team that executed the shellfish design is currently mapping where their design could be implemented outside of the United Kingdom, testing different shellfish species to adapt the formula to each location’s unique environment.
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