Recycled Asphalt Pavement is Sustainable and Cost-Efficient
Asphalt is one of the most cost-efficient and durable materials used in construction. With many options to choose from, asphalt can be used in a variety of applications and can be formulated to fit just about any surfacing project you may have.
One of the most desired and used products in asphalt construction is Recycled Asphalt Pavement. It’s valuable benefits and ability to be used in the same applications as traditional hot mix asphalt make it one to be consid
WHAT IS RECYCLED ASPHALT PAVEMENT?
Recycled asphalt pavement is formed when existing asphalt is removed, often for reasons such as resurfacing, reconstruction, or access to the land beneath the pavement. The removed asphalt can then be crushed for a second time and reused in the development of new asphalt.
RAP is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED©) Certified Material. Asphalt is typically produced from a mixture of rock, sand and hot binder oil. Rather than using 100% virgin materials that have been extracted from hillside quarries or out of river beds, BoDean Company incorporates recycled roads that need to be rebuilt or resurfaced. RAP is of a superior quality and value than traditional asphalt.
USES OF RAP
When RAP undergoes the process of recycling, it is reprocessed and re-crushed into aggregate-size material. Because it is nearly taken back to its original state, recycled asphalt can be used in many of the same applications as traditional asphalt. Recycled asphalt is also used in the paving of parking lots, gravel road rehabilitation and bike paths, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, “RAP is now routinely accepted in asphalt paving mixtures as an aggregate substitute and as a portion of the binder in nearly all 50 states. Recently developed technology has even made it possible to recycle 90 to 100 percent RAP in hot mix.”
When it comes to paving, asphalt is always a good choice. It contains the key ingredients to make your construction project or road that a sustainable, affordable and durable one. By using RAP, you get the benefits of traditional hot mix asphalt as well as the added benefits of using a recycled product without cutting quality.
BENEFITS OF RAP
Recycled asphalt is becoming more common in construction and material applications because the benefits are all so valuable. The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) estimates that 56 million tons of RAP was used in hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements in 2009, with 62.1 million tons having been used in 2010.
Environmental – Asphalt is 100% reusable, thus making it a sustainable product. Its durability and strength render it the most desirable material for paving. The fact that it is so often reused and recycled make its environmental benefits apparent as it conserves the natural and raw resources that are taken from the land to produce virgin asphalt. According to the European Asphalt Pavement Association (EAPA), “Research clearly shows that recycling asphalt lowers energy costs and CO2 emissions significantly.”
Economical – Using RAP saves everyone money. It is less expensive to produce and, therefore, less expensive to purchase. The cost of paving roads using RAP is less costly for governments and therefore costs taxpayers less as well.
Quality – Unlike many other recycled products, asphalt does not lose its durability or quality during the recycling process. RAP remains just as strong as virgin hot mix asphalt. Using recycled asphalt in the production process means a primer coat that is already on the RAP aggregates leads to a higher quality product.
LEED Credits – If you are looking for ways to earn LEED credits for your construction project, incorporating recycled asphalt is always a good way.