How is coal ash currently being used beneficially?
Coal ash can be reused in two forms — encapsulated (bound into a product) or unencapsulated. Encapsulated: EPA believes there are important benefits to the environment and the economy from the use of coal ash in encapsulated form, such as in wallboard, concrete, roofing materials and bricks, where the coal ash is bound into products. Environmental benefits from these types of uses include greenhouse gas reduction, energy conservation, reduction in land disposal, and reduction in the need to mine/process virgin materials. We have no data showing that encapsulated uses pose a problem for human health or the environment. One of the most widely recognized beneficial applications of coal ashs is the use of coal fly ash as a substitute for portland cement in the manufacture of concrete. The use of coal ash increases the durability of concrete and the process generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions. For each ton of fly ash that is substituted for portland cement, approximately one ton of gr
