How can you use recycled materials to build better roads?

1 Benefits of recycling

Recycling materials for road construction has many benefits for the environment, the economy, and the society. Recycling reduces the need for mining, quarrying, and processing of virgin materials, which saves energy, water, and land. Recycling also reduces the amount of waste that goes to landfills or incinerators, which reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling also creates jobs, saves money, and enhances the performance and lifespan of roads.

2 Types of recycled materials

Recycled materials can be used for road construction depending on their availability, quality, and compatibility. Asphalt is the most recycled material in the world, as it can be reused in new asphalt mixes or as a base or subbase layer. Concrete can be crushed and reused as a base or subbase layer, or as an aggregate in new concrete mixes. Plastic can be melted and mixed with asphalt or concrete to form a composite material that enhances the properties of the pavement. Rubber from tires can be shredded and blended with asphalt or concrete to form a rubberized pavement. Recycling these materials reduces the demand for new materials, improves the strength and durability of the pavement, reduces plastic waste that ends up in oceans or landfills, reduces the number of tires that are burned or dumped, and improves the resistance, flexibility, noise reduction, vibration reduction, cracking reduction, comfort, and safety of the pavement.

3 Challenges of recycling

Recycling materials for road construction presents some challenges, such as quality, standards, and awareness. Quality may vary depending on the source, processing, and storage of the materials, which can affect the consistency, reliability, and durability of the pavement. Additionally, recycled materials may not meet existing standards and specifications for road construction, limiting their acceptance and adoption. Lastly, the public, stakeholders, and decision-makers may not be aware of or appreciate recycled materials for road construction, which could impact the demand and supply.

4 Best practices of recycling

When recycling materials for road construction, careful planning, design, testing, and monitoring is required to ensure the quality, performance, and safety of the pavement. It is important to assess the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the recycled materials, as well as their environmental and health impacts. Additionally, optimization of the materials should be done by using appropriate additives, modifiers, or treatments to enhance their properties and behavior. Lastly, innovation should be explored by discovering new sources, methods, or applications of the materials for road construction in order to create new opportunities and solutions.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?