Recycling rubble, particularly in countries pummeled by war, is one way to limit environmental damage caused by extracting sand and rock, according to Pascal Peduzzi of UN Environment. Extraction of sand and gravel cannot be entirely avoided. But experts warn that it must be strictly limited on coastlines, where extraction causes erosion that can lead to salt water contamination of ground water. If salt water seeps into rivers, it can destroy entire ecosystems.

Expert says recycling rubble to save mountains, rivers, beaches. (2019, September 2). Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A1, A14.