In the Mexican republic, around 33.600 tons of construction wastes are generated every day, Mexico City contributing for around 7.000 tons/day, with fewer than 1.000 tons/ day being sent to be recycled. This study relates to sustainable alternatives for recycling construction wastes, focusing on the manufacture of sustainable bricks using recycled aggregates (RA). The objective of this research was to manufacture RA-bricks of mixtures integrating clay excavation wastes, recycled binding ggregates from concrete having a particle size distribution of 3/8” and recycled mixed aggregates and binding wastes with a particle size distribution ranging from 1/4” to fines, wood cutting wastes and a liquid mixture of water and Opuntia ficus-indica (mucilage) extract as natural additive or stabilizer. A sustainable manufacturing process was used in which the clay material typically used in the traditional manufacturing of RA-bricks was replaced by excavation wastes of originally unknown composition obtained during the construction of two buildings, in order to investigate whether various excavation wastes having appropriate clay contents can be used as raw materials for manufacturing recycled aggregates bricks. Before using these wastes, preliminary particle size distribution, plasticity and hardness tests were performed in order to determine the appropriate residue dosages for manufacturing the bricks. The results showed that excavation wastes different from the clay soil usually used ensure the quality requested by the Mexican standard for non-structural adobe bricks. Currently, further studies are being conducted to promote their use in the manufacture of building elements.

Peer Reviewed