The Top Benefits Of Asphalt Recycling You May Not Know

Key Takeaways:

• Recycled asphalt eliminates the emissions of harmful compounds from the surface
• It is an economical and environmentally friendly process
• Asphalt recycling begins with asphalt milling and ends with asphalt pulverization to compact the base
• Its benefits are not limited to pavement installation or restoration only,
• It is an eco-friendly pavement solution that is the need of the hour in times of climate crisis.
• You can avail the full benefits of this process by hiring the right contractor for pavement restoration.

Have you ever driven over a pothole and felt your car lurch to the side? If you have, you know just how important it is to maintain our roads. And guess what? Potholes aren’t the only thing that asphalt recycling helps prevent. Believe it or not, there are several benefits associated with this process. Here are just a few that you might not have known about.

Also read: Common questions asked about asphalt

Why is Recycling Asphalt Important?

Climate change and global warming are causes of grave concern. Both natural global problems require a concerted, united effort to mitigate and reduce their effects on the environment. Homeowners and commercial property owners need to make intelligent choices and consider alternatives that can positively influence the environment. Using recycled asphalt is one way of giving back to the environment. Fresh asphalt surfaces emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), the leading cause of smog.

Recycled asphalt is used as a binder in new hot mix asphalt. This reduces the amount of VOCs emitted into the atmosphere compared to virgin materials. You can recycle and reuse asphalt many times, making it an environmentally friendly choice for homeowners and commercial property owners.

In addition to being environmentally friendly, recycled asphalt is also economical. It costs less to produce than virgin materials, making it a budget-friendly option for paving projects large and small. It saves valuable natural resources like gravel, sand, and petroleum – all used to create new asphalt pavements.

Additionally, it requires less energy to produce recycled asphalt than pavement made with new materials. Using this material also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are released when fossil fuels are burned. These types of emissions contribute to climate change.

In short, using recycled asphalt for pavement instead of new materials reduces the harmful gases emitted into the atmosphere.

The Economic Benefits

In addition to being environmentally friendly, recycled asphalt is also economical. Asphalt pavement is the most recycled material in America.

Recycling asphalt requires less energy and resources than producing new pavement from scratch. This means it costs less to produce recycled asphalt than to create new pavement.

Contractors and dealers can pass on the cost savings associated with recycled asphalt to consumers. When you use recycled asphalt for pavement, the overall project cost is typically lower than if you used new materials. This makes this material an attractive option for many businesses and homeowners looking to save money on their paving projects.

The Asphalt Recycling Process – Explained

The process begins with asphalt milling. Milling removes the top layer of asphalt from a street or parking lot. Contractors use this recycled asphalt for pavement as the base for the new surface.

Once you mill the material, it is transported to an asphalt plant and mixed with new aggregate and bitumen to create recycled asphalt pavement. In many cases, the quality of recycled asphalt is better than fresh asphalt.

You then place the asphalt surface for compacting. This forms a new, strong, durable surface that can last many years with proper maintenance.

Asphalt Pulverization – Explained

Asphalt pulverization is another process for recycled asphalt pavement. In this method, a machine grinds the existing asphalt surface into small pieces.

Pulverization has many benefits over milling because it produces a smoother and more level surface. The smooth results make asphalt pulverization ideal for resurfacing projects where a smooth finish is desired.

Pulverization also allows for better compaction of the material, which results in a more robust and longer-lasting surface.

It’s Not Just About Pavement

You can recycle asphalt to feature in different capacities. These include:

• Recycled Asphalt Shingles: Using these helps manufacturers reduce costs and improve asphalt pavement quality. Recycled shingles act as an aggregate source in hot mix asphalt, improving pavement performance.
• Asphalt Cement Replacement: recycled asphalt can be used as a partial replacement for asphalt cement in specific applications. It helps reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions when used as a replacement.
• Base Course Material: It can be used as a base course material, providing a stable foundation for new pavement surfaces.
• In-Place Pavement Recycling involves recycling existing pavement materials to create a new, structurally sound surface. In-place recycling is an efficient way to repair damage and extend the life of your pavement.

Are There Any Disadvantages of Recycling Asphalt? –

While there are many benefits, there are a few potential disadvantages to be aware of.

• Cost: While recycled asphalt is typically less expensive than new pavement, the cost can vary depending on the location and type of project.
• Availability: Depending on location, recycled asphalt may not be readily available.
• Quality: The quality of asphalt can vary depending on it was produced and stored.

Despite these potential disadvantages, recycled asphalt offers many benefits that make it an attractive option for pavement projects. When considering this material for your next project, choose a contractor renowned for providing quality options to their customers. A qualified paving contractor maximizes utility to ensure you enjoy a full range of benefits.

As you can see, there are several great reasons to consider recycled asphalt for your pavement restoration project. Not only is it more affordable than traditional methods, but it’s also better for the environment. Affordable Sealing and Striping ensures your pavement in Fort Collins undergoes the best treatment under the able eyes of our experienced team. We offer quality pavement maintenance services that include pavement restoration using recycled asphalt.

Get a free estimate today!

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