Recycled aggregates can be used as a substitute for natural aggregates in construction. They are produced from construction and demolition waste and have lower strength but also lower density than natural aggregates. While recycled aggregates provide environmental benefits and reduce costs, their use also faces challenges from a lack of standards and potential for water pollution. Effective recycling techniques include two-stage mixing, mechanical scrubbing, and heated scrubbing to remove adhered cement paste from recycled concrete pieces.