PAVING THE FUTURE THROUGH RECYCLING, REUSING, AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN America’s most recycled material is asphalt. Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is a valuable by-product, and there is a lot of it available for use. According to a 2019 survey by the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 97 million tons of RAP have been reclaimed by our industry for future use. Using RAP instead of new materials not only saves scarce natural resources like aggregates but is also environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Using RAP is considered green, which is a big incentive to recycle and reuse asphalt. Figures from the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) estimate that greenhouse gas emissions net reduction from the use of RAP in new asphalt mixtures from 2009 to 2019 was estimated at 21.2 million tons of CO2e. This is equivalent to the annual emissions from approximately 460,000 passenger vehicles. In 2019, more than 97 million tons of RAP were recycled in new asphalt pavements and other civil engineering applications, saving 58.9 million cubic yards of landfill space. Annually, 89.2 million tons of RAP are used in new asphalt pavement construction throughout the United States. As a fully recyclable product, RAP has many applications, and can be used over and over again, reducing the need for costly virgin materials. More than 94% of RAP is used in new asphalt mixtures, while a small percentage is incorporated into other civil engineering applications like unbound aggregate bases. Nationally, RAP is utilized at an average rate of 21.1% in new asphalt mixtures. Contractors and customers alike are always looking for ways to stay under budget without sacrificing quality. That’s where RAP comes in – it can help reduce waste and provide a costeffective alternative to pricier materials. Each year, an average of $3.3 billion is saved by using RAP. Nationally, the average 21.1% RAP used in new asphalt mixtures saved $7.80 per ton, and that is impressive. The use of RAP means less reclaimed asphalt is winding up in landfills. Additionally, as technology progresses, the percentage of asphalt that can be recycled increases and further reduces any negative environmental impact asphalt production might cause. Today, more projects are featuring increased amounts of RAP, meaning there’s less waste, lower costs, and higher quality results. Recycling is just one of the reasons that asphalt is considered one of the most sustainable pavements. The industry is continuously exploring methods and practices to contribute to sustainable infrastructure and a healthy environment for future generations. Asphalt pavements that are constructed as Perpetual Pavements, that never need to be removed or replaced, do just that. The concept of Perpetual Pavements has been around for 20+ years. These are asphalt pavements that are designed and built to last longer than 50 years without requiring major structural rehabilitation or reconstruction – needing only occasional surface renewal in response to distress on the top layer of pavement. 12
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