Survey finds record-high levels of asphalt pavement recycling
- April 18, 2013
- By Jennifer Kalish
Courtesy, Asphalt Pavement Alliance
A warm-mix asphalt project in
Colorado.
Record-high levels of recycled materials and energy-saving warm-mix asphalt were used in the construction of new pavements in 2011, according to a recent survey by the National Asphalt Pavement Association.
About 66.7 million tons of reclaimed asphalt pavement and 1.2 million tons of reclaimed asphalt shingles were collected in the U.S. during 2011 for reuse in new pavements, and 19% of all asphalt produced that year was made using warm-mix asphalt technologies, according to the survey.
"Asphalt pavements are the sustainable option for paving our nations' roads and highways," said NAPA 2013 Chairman and President John Keating in a statement. "With warm mix, we can use less energy to produce high-quality pavements, and [reclaimed asphalt pavement] and [reclaimed asphalt shingles] allow us to reuse liquid asphalt, saving costs and preserving natural resources."
Warm-mix asphalt technologies allow pavement to be produced at lower temperatures, which in turn reduces energy demands and emission levels during production and paving. The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement and reclaimed asphalt shingles during the 2011 paving season translated to savings of approximately $2.2 billion for taxpayers, NAPA reported.
"While use of these technologies has increased dramatically, there is room to do more, and the asphalt pavement industry is ready to reach even higher levels of sustainability in road construction," Keating said in a statement.
The survey was conducted by NAPA under a contract held by the Federal Highway Administration.
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