Nowadays, everyone is concerned with going green. And with yesterday being Earth Day, we thought not would be as good a time as any to discuss the residential uses of recycled asphalt, from walkways to driveways. Asphalt is not only one of the greenest materials around, but it is actually the most recycled products in the country, according to Dr. Zhanping You, P.E., Ph.D., professor of transportation engineering and materials at Michigan Technological University.
“Asphalt is a 100% recyclable material,” said You.
- Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) does not leach petroleum into the earth.
- Asphalt has a small carbon footprint.
- Asphalt’s smooth surface helps save fuel.
- The only maintenance needed is infrequent (every 20-25 years).
- In 2011, 66.7 million tons of RAP was collected in the United States for use in new pavement.
- 19% of all asphalt produced in the country was made using warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technologies in 2011.
- The use of RAP in 2011 translates to a saving of 21.2 million barrels of liquid asphalt binder and $2.2 billion.
“Every year, approximately 73 million tons of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) are reused, or nearly twice as much as the combined total of 40 million tons of recycled paper, glass, aluminum and plastics,” said Mike Acott, former president of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA).
What is RAP?
RAP is the general term given to asphalt pavement that is reclaimed, properly crushed and screened, and then processed for use again.
What is WMA?
WMA technologies allow asphalt pavement material to be produced, mixed, and paved at lower temperatures. Reductions of 50 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit have been documented. This is beneficial in several ways, including: cutting fuel consumption, decreasing the production of greenhouse gases, better compaction, the ability to haul paving mix for longer distances, and extending the paving season.
“Asphalt pavements are the sustainable option for paving…,” said John Keating, 2013 NAPA Chairman and President.
Reliable Contracting Company: Your Baltimore Asphalt Contractor
Reliable Contracting Company, a full-service residential asphalt paving contractor in Baltimore, Maryland, has always been an innovator in the use of recycled materials, from the burning of recycled oil for fuel to the production of glassphalt paving mixes to recycling asphalt and concrete for base materials. Reliable can produce all of today’s high-performance asphalt paving products, or can tailor a mix or installation to suit your project’s specific needs.
“The way old asphalt pavements can be used to build new ones cannot be matched by any other paving material,” said Mike Kvach, Executive Director of the Asphalt Pavement Alliance.
If you have any questions about Recycled Asphalt or if you have a construction project that you need completed right the first time, please contact Reliable Contracting by calling 410-987-0313 or visit our website. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
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