Orienteering race

In this task, you are to work in groups and find places in your local area where you can obtain reused bricks. The purpose is to investigate the possibilities of using these materials in new construction or renovation projects.

Teacher's guide:

6. Brick_EN.pdf

On the hunt for reused bricks

In this task, you are to work in groups and find places in your local area where you can obtain reused bricks. The purpose is to investigate the possibilities of using these materials in new construction or renovation projects.

Follow these steps:

Research:

  • Find out where there could potentially be reused bricks available. This could be at companies or organizations.

Visit and converse:

  • Go out and talk to the staff at the places you have identified. Obtain information about the quantity of reused bricks, their properties, and the price.

Collective summary:

  • In summary, the class should discuss and summarise where to obtain reused bricks, how much is available, and the properties and price.

The task aims to create common knowledge in the class about reused bricks in the local area. To solve the task, you should try to find different types of reused bricks and answer questions about quantity, quality, and price.

Download the two documents to get ideas on where to find reused bricks, which types of bricks to look for, and what questions to answer about the materials you find.

You can also find the lists below.

Duration of the exercise:

Approximately 5 hours

List of information to be collected for each location

Introduction:

This list of information needs to be completed for each provider of reused bricks that the group locates. The list includes questions about, among other things, quantity, price, and quality. This information is important for the craftsmen to know to ensure they can deliver what has been agreed upon with the customer.

The list should be filled out as thoroughly as possible. It is not always certain that all questions can be answered, but it is important to gather as much information as possible. It may also be that the group assesses that there are important pieces of information about the reused bricks missing from the list. In that case, you are welcome to add to the list.

List of questions:

  1. What types of reused bricks are available at the site? (Roof tiles, shaped bricks, regular bricks, and what formats do they come in?)
  2. What is the current quantity of reused bricks at the site? - and what specific construction projects can be carried out with that quantity?
  3. How do the staff at the site assess the future quantity of reused bricks?
  4. What properties do the reused bricks have? (colors, formats, compressive strength, approval regarding exposure classes)
  5. What do the staff at the site think the reused bricks can be used for?
  6. What do you, in the group, think the reused bricks can be used for?
  7. What is the price of the reused bricks?

Inspiration

This list serves as inspiration for the types of reused bricks you can look for and where recycled bricks can generally be located. The ideas are based on where reused bricks are generally found. It may not be the same in your local area, so your own ideas may be just as good.

List of ideas for types of reused bricks to look for:

  • Regular bricks
  • Cladding bricks
  • Roof tiles
  • Paving bricks

List of ideas for possible locations for reused bricks:

  • The local building supply store
  • The local recycling center - some recycling centers have a specific section for direct reuse of building materials, while others have specific containers for scavenging (collecting discarded items). Others have an entirely different solution. Talk to the staff about how they handle it at your local center.
  • Reused material dealers
  • Brickworks - some brickworks also sell reused bricks
  • Demolition companies