Connect with us.

Eco-Friendly Approach: The Sustainable Advantages of Asphalt Milling and Recycling

Asphalt tops the list of the most recycled materials in the United States. According to the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), 94.6 million tons of reclaimed asphalt pavement was recycled, sparing the atmosphere from 2.6 million metric tons of CO2. Most recycled asphalt is used in building roads, highways, parking lots, walkways, and airport runways, reducing the cost of asphalt paving by significant margins. Recycled asphalt products are increasingly becoming the paving materials of choice for many due to their tremendous benefits. So, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly paving solution, clean and 100% recyclable milled asphalt is a great option. Here’s why: 

Advantages of Asphalt Milling and Recycling 

Environmental Advantages 

  • Better for the environment: increased use of recycled asphalt benefits the environment more than you can imagine. It cuts down the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Other environmental benefits of recycling asphalt include the reduced need for oil and energy used in the virgin asphalt creation process. 
  • Conservation of natural resources: recycled asphalt lessens the dependence on natural resources such as sand, stone, gravel, and other materials incorporated into asphalt mixture to create pavement. Additionally, nonrenewable resources like oil can be preserved by cutting back on producing virgin asphalt. 
  • Wastes in landfills: typical recycled milled and recycled asphalt consists of a mixture of a host of nonbiodegradable materials, including steel, cement, rubber, and glass. So, recycling reduces the presence of unwanted asphalt and other non-decomposable and potentially toxic wastes in landfills. NAPA suggests that asphalt milling and recycling save about 60 million cubic yards of landfill space annually. 

Economic Advantages 

  • Cost-saving benefits: using recycled asphalt saves you the cost of materials and the process of producing virgin asphalt. NAPA estimates that applying recycled asphalt on America’s infrastructure saves taxpayers up to $2 billion every year. 
  • Less repair and maintenance: modern recycling techniques are designed to produce strong, thick, and durable recycled asphalt that will serve you for an extended period without worrying about the trouble or cost of repairs and maintenance

Asphalt Advantages 

  • Just as good as original asphalt: some believe asphalt loses its quality when it is milled and recycled. This is not the case. In fact, the recycling process is designed to ensure the quality of asphalt remains intact as virgin asphalt. You get the same quality but for less. 
  • Extensive applications: the applications of recycled asphalt products extend beyond commercial infrastructure projects such as roads and highways. These products are ideal for any paving solution, including parking lots, walkways, sidewalks, roofing shingles, etc., whether commercial or residential. 

Bottom Line 

The growing need to protect the natural environment calls for sustainable paving solutions. Recycled asphalt products have been tried, tested, and proven to be excellent alternative paving materials with numerous environmental and economic benefits. Asphalt milling and recycling is a green and circular economy practice, but also cost-efficient. Choosing clean and 100% recyclable milled asphalt protects the planet from harmful gases, depletion of natural resources, and toxic waste substances. At the same time, you stand to benefit from quality asphalt pavement that requires little maintenance at significantly low prices. 

At Pro-Pave, Inc., we believe in doing the right thing and protecting the environment. Recycling asphalt is part of our commitment to sustainability. Contact us today if you want a milled and recycled asphalt paving job.