The stringent quality control measures on the properties of concrete result in the production of a large quantity of returned concrete in many countries. Waste management strategies include extracting the aggregates from these returned concrete to reduce the consumption of natural aggregates. The study aims to extract and characterize the recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) obtained from returned concrete using superabsorbent polymer (SAP) additives (RCA-SAP), and by washing (RCA-W), and compare the properties with local specification for recycled aggregates. Furthermore, the comparative performance of the concrete containing those two types of differently treated recycled aggregates as partial replacements for natural aggregates (NCA) under accelerated carbonation and water curing was analyzed through strength, water absorption and gas adsorption tests. The quality testing revealed that RCA-W outperforms RCA-SAP in terms of water absorption which showed a value lower than 1%, and a Los Angeles abrasion value of lower than 30 %, indicating better abrasion resistance. The concrete containing polymer-modified recycled aggregates at 30 % replacement showed a maximum strength development of 60.44 MPa, under carbonation curing which is 16.4 % higher than the mix under water curing. In summary, it was confirmed that carbonation curing enhances concrete performance with polymer-modified recycled aggregates