•State of the art systematic review on the study of recycled aggregates for concrete production.•Statistical analysis of the main properties of recycled aggregates and comparison with those of conventional aggregates.•Proposal of a performance-based classification system for recycled aggregates meant for concrete production. Arising from a systematic, as opposed to narrative, literature review of 236 publications published over a period of 38years from 1977 to 2014, the paper examines the factors affecting the physical, chemical, mechanical, permeation and compositional properties of recycled aggregates sourced from construction and demolition waste, intended for concrete production. Classifications based on their composition and contaminants have been studied. The data were collectively subjected to statistical analysis and a performance-based classification, mainly for use in concrete construction, is proposed. The results allowed producing a practical means of measuring the quality of recycled aggregates, which can be used to produce concrete with predictable performance.