Most asphalt and bituminous material can be recycled, which is cheaper than reconstruction. Recycling also reduces demand for raw materials, decreases emissions output and diverts usable materials from landfill.
A number of commercial operators offer asphalt recycling or road recovery services through in-place and off-site methods. Asphalt recycling is continually developing as the benefits become more widely accepted, and other options may soon become available.
The majority of existing asphalt and bituminous materials can be recycled. This brings financial benefits to businesses by reducing the need to purchase raw materials as well as reducing the cost of waste transport and disposal. Recycling asphalt also reduces the need to use non-renewable resources such as oil and gravel, reduces waste going to landfill, as well as reduces the emissions created through asphalt processing plants.
Deteriorated asphalt road materials are generally recycled through two processes: in-place recycling (both hot and cold techniques) as well as off-site recycling.
Hot in-place recycling involves softening the surface through heating and then laying the existing road. Cold in-place recycling involves removing the road to a certain level, pulverising it, mixing it with an additive, laying it, compacting it, and resealing it. This process involves no heat and results in greater energy savings.
Offsite recycling involves using recovered asphalt and remixing it at an offsite plant to be reused.
A number of commercial operators offer asphalt recycling or road recovery services through in-place and offsite methods. Asphalt recycling is continually developing as the benefits become more widely accepted and other options may soon become available.
