When a construction crew paves a new road, asphalt is generally the material of choice. In fact, according to the National Asphalt Pavement Association, approximately 94 percent of all roads in the United States are paved with asphalt. But did you know that asphalt can be recycled and reused? It is surprisingly easy to reclaim asphalt and recycle it into new pavement; asphalt is one of the most recycled materials in the US! If you are wondering what recycled asphalt is, how effective it is, or anything in between, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will break down absolutely everything you need to know about recycled asphalt!
What is Recycled Asphalt?
Asphalt is made of an aggregate — like rocks, stone, or sand — which is combined with a binding material called a bitumen. Asphalt is used on roads, driveways, parking lots, and much more because it is a durable material. Asphalt has been used in roads for centuries because of its durability; plus, it can help reduce noise and repel water, and it is easy to maintain. Recycled asphalt — also known as reclaimed asphalt — is old asphalt that is removed from the ground and is then mixed with new asphalt before being put down as new pavement.
There is a slight difference in the appearance of recycled asphalt and virgin asphalt. Virgin asphalt has dark black coloring that looks sleek and smooth. Recycled asphalt has already been in the sun, so it has the gray coloring that you see on most roads.
Why Recycle Asphalt?
When asphalt is recycled, it is ground into gravel and removed in a process called asphalt milling. The asphalt is then brought to an asphalt plant, where it is screened and resized so that it can be used to make new pavement. Often, the quality of this recycled asphalt is even stronger than it would be if it was made with all new materials. Asphalt can be recycled and reused multiple times, extending its lifespan even further. The properties of the asphalt binder can go from liquid to solid and back again without any chemical changes happening, so its durability is not jeopardized in the process.
In some cases, asphalt can be recycled right on the job site, without taking it to a plant, which makes it more cost effective if the work is being done in a rural area or there is a large area that needs to be covered.
Using recycled asphalt can be cost effective for contractors and customers alike, especially if it is being recycled onsite since it will cut down on transportation costs of going back and forth. It also reduces the need for quarrying and mining to create new asphalt, making it more eco-friendly. Plus, the bitumen used to bind asphalt is typically petroleum-based, so it is not something that will biodegrade. Leaving old asphalt in a landfill is not good for the environment. The asphalt itself will not decay or break down in a landfill, either. Approximately 80 million tons of asphalt are reclaimed and recycled every year! If we did not recycle asphalt, approximately 60 million cubic yards of landfill space would be taken up by old asphalt every year.
Since using recycled asphalt means contractors do not need to use as much new asphalt, it makes everything a little more affordable for the contractor and the client. This is especially true as petroleum prices rise, which can increase the costs of manufacturing new asphalt.
Recycled asphalt allows for percolations, which means it is great in areas that get a lot of rain or snow because it holds up well during a rainy season. The percolation allows the water to pass through the asphalt, which helps prevent flooding in a driveway or parking lot when it rains.
Recycled asphalt is also easy to lay, so it will not take too long to get an asphalt parking lot, street, or driveway laid and ready for use.
What are the most common uses of recycled asphalt?
You can use recycled asphalt as part of any asphalt construction project. Let’s take a quick look at some of the common uses for recycled asphalt that DRYCO offers:
- Paved roads
- Driveways
- Parking lots
- Paving site development
- New construction
- Removing and maintaining existing asphalt
- Game courts
- Playground blacktop
- Slurry seal
Can you seal a recycled asphalt driveway?
Sealcoating your recycled asphalt driveway will help protect it from the elements. The sun, ice, and wind can slowly wear your asphalt away, but sealcoating gives you a protective barrier to make your asphalt driveway last longer. You can have your recycled asphalt driveway sealcoated exactly as you would if it was virgin asphalt. In fact, you absolutely should invest in sealcoating for your recycled asphalt driveway to extend its lifespan and keep it strong.
Final Thoughts
Asphalt is one of the most recycled materials in the US, and it is used on roads, driveways, parking lots, and more all over the country. It is one of the greenest construction materials because of how durable it is. If you are in Northern California and are looking for a construction project featuring recycled asphalt, contact DRYCO today! We also offer concrete and fencing services.