Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is the most recycled product in the U.S., according to the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA).
According to an industry survey conducted by NAPA in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 97 million tons of RAP were reclaimed in 2019 – saving enough landfill space to fill up the U.S. Capitol dome 1,223 times, NAPA says.
Furthermore, the 97 million tons of RAP represents a larger figure than all combined plastic and glass bottles, aluminum and steel cans, and newspapers recycled annually, the association says.
Of the 97 million tons of RAP reclaimed last year, contractors reused 89.2 million tons in new asphalt pavements – representing an 8.5 percent increase from 2018 and a 59.3 percent increase from 2009, when the annual survey was first conducted.
“Over the years, we’ve seen steady advancement in RAP use across the country,” says Audrey Copeland, NAPA president and CEO. “Through collaboration on research and applied best practices among industry engineers and road owners, we maintain or improve performance while increasing the use of recycled materials.”
According to NAPA, 94 percent of RAP is used in new pavement construction while the remaining 6 percent is used in road construction and maintenance projects.
The survey, for the first time, evaluated greenhouse gas emissions and found RAP usage saved 2.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide – the equivalent to removing 520,000 passenger vehicles from the road, according to NAPA.
“NAPA and its members are committed to building and maintaining our country’s infrastructure with the utmost goal of recycling, sustainability and our concern for the environment and resources while providing the smoothest, quietest, safest and most perpetual pavement surface available,” says Jay Winford Jr., chairman of NAPA.
Warm-mix asphalt tech
Contractors used warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technologies to produce 164.5 million tons of asphalt mix in 2019, according to NAPA and FHWA’s survey. Of the 164.5 million tons, nearly half was produced at reduced temperatures, lessening the amount of energy needed to manufacture the mix.
Furthermore, the increased adoption of WMA technologies has contributed to a range of safety, environmental and construction benefits, NAPA says.
NAPA and FHWA’s survey compiled results from 212 companies operating 1,101 plants across 48 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and one U.S. territory.
RAP Stats
• 97 million tons of RAP reclaimed in 2019
• 58.9 million cu. yd. of landfill space saved
• $5.3 billion saved in gate fees for disposals in landfills
• 2.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide saved by RAP usage – the equivalent to removing
• 520,000 passenger vehicles from the road
Information courtesy of the National Asphalt Pavement Association.