Properties of concrete containing recycled concrete aggregate of preserved quality

•The properties of concrete with two types of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) were investigated.•A protocol was stablished to preserve the quality of recycled concrete when producing RCA.•Preserved-quality RCA has lower absorption and abrasion compared to other RCA.•Concrete with preserved-quality RCA has better properties than concrete with commercial RCA.•Concrete with 30% preserved-quality coarse RCA was similar to concrete with natural aggregates.