Millions of drivers utilize recycled materials without realizing it.
Highway construction is an expensive undertaking because of the high cost of the materials used. The Federal Highway Administration encourages contractors to use recycled materials because these materials can cut down on the cost of highway construction. There are various recycled materials that can be used in highway construction.
Concrete
Concrete removed from demolished buildings is often used as general fill or road base material in highway construction. When recycled concrete is used as a road base, it is used to make the foundation for the road pavements. As a general fill, concrete is used as a soil stabilizer to increase the load -bearing capacity of the soil. Recycled concrete is also used in sidewalk construction.
Rubber
Recycled rubber is used in several different areas of road construction. Rubber is used to make the pavement itself, but is also used in asphalt sealants and crack fillers. Rubber makes a good lightweight fill for embankments because it improves the permeability and insulating properties of the embankment. In some states, recycled rubber is used in landscaping wall and in the construction of the road base.
Plastics
Most municipal waste comes from plastic products and much of this recyclable material can be used in highway construction. For example, plastic bags can be recycled into low density polyethylene resin, which is then formed into pellets and added to asphalt cement. Other recycled plastics can be turned into fill or objects such as landscape fencing, as well.
Blast Furnace Slag
Blast furnace slag is used in road construction as an aggregate of road base. Added to cement in granulated form, blast furnace slag improves quality of cement and increases the friction of the finished road surface. This slag is also sometimes used to form road base because it is a hard and durable aggregate. In cold regions, it is used as an ice control abrasive.
Tags: road base, highway construction, recycled materials, also used, concrete used, construction Rubber, general fill