From production to placement to recycling, asphalt has a variety of environmental benefits. At every phase, asphalt is known to be an environmentally friendly choice for paving. However, did you know that there are even more environmental benefits to recycling asphalt? Keep reading to learn some of the many ways recycling asphalt is beneficial to the environment.
Speeds Up Travel
Unlike other types of road paving materials, asphalt sets quickly and is ready to sustain heavy traffic in only a few hours, as opposed to days or weeks like other paving materials. This quick turnaround means that traffic isn’t held up for too long when new roads are being built. Less time spent in traffic due to closed roads means less fuel consumption and fewer emissions from vehicles.
Reduces Greenhouse Emissions
The increased use of recycled asphalt plays a major role in the reduction of harmful greenhouse gas emissions. That’s because using recycled asphalt reduces the need for new oil in the asphalt creation process. The reduced need for new asphalt means a reduced need for oil to create the new asphalt.
Reduces Waste in Landfills
A great way to preserve space in our landfills is by recycling asphalt. When people recycle asphalt, they prevent it from entering landfills altogether. Asphalt is non-biodegradable, which means it won’t break down, and will take up significant space in landfills for a long time. So instead of entering landfills, recycled asphalt will be turned into aggregate and continue to be used for other construction projects.
Conserves Other Natural Resources
Did you know that other limited natural resources are incorporated into asphalt mixtures when creating pavement? Natural resources that aren’t renewable, such as stone, sand, and gravel, can be incorporated into new asphalt mixtures when combined with reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). That means companies can cut back on using other nonrenewable resources, such as oil, when they opt for recycled asphalt materials instead of virgin asphalt.
Doesn’t Leach
After asphalt is applied, it continues to protect the environment since it doesn’t leach. Asphalt pavement is an impermeable surface and will protect the ground underneath it for many years to come. It also means that any oil that was used to produce the asphalt will not leach into the environment.
Can Be Used in a Variety of Applications
Asphalt is commonly used for roads and sidewalks, but it can also be used for other things. Because asphalt is impermeable, it is useful for things like drinking water reserves, caps and liners for landfills, and lining for fishing rearing ponds. No matter the application, users can be sure that asphalt won’t leak. Its many uses make it a great, multi-purpose, eco-friendly material.
Recycle Asphalt with LCI Recycling
When you need asphalt recycling in MD, look to LCI Recycling. We offer efficient and eco-friendly asphalt recycling to residential and commercial clients throughout Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia. Contact us today to learn more about our process or to request an estimate for our asphalt recycling services.
