What Happens to Recycled Asphalt? | Cape Cod
What Happens to Recycled Asphalt? | Cape Cod
Many people are aware that asphalt pavement saves property owners money and time, but not everyone knows that it is completely recyclable. In fact, more tons of asphalt pavement are recycled every year in North America than paper, aluminum, plastic and glass combined. If you are wondering what happens to the existing paving Cape Cod contractors remove, keep reading.
What Happens to Recycled Asphalt? | Cape Cod
How Do Contractors Remove Asphalt Pavement for Recycling?
Different methods can be used to remove the asphalt property owners need to replace or repair. Contractors match the method to the scope and specifics of each project.
1. Asphalt milling is a technique that asphalt paving companies in Cape Cod find useful for a variety of purposes, including the removal of old pavement. Milling machines can remove a few millimeters of pavement or the full depth of the pavement and its foundation. The technique is typically faster and more economical than traditional removal methods.
2. If the area to be removed is relatively small, contractors may saw out the existing pavement. This is a traditional technique for repairing potholes and/or alligator cracking.
3. Full-depth reclamation pulverizes or grinds the existing pavement as well as the layers of material beneath the pavement. The pulverized material can be used immediately without having to haul it to another location for recycling.
4. There are also certain jobs that require the use of backhoes, skid loaders or even bulldozers for pavement removal. However, many asphalt companies prefer to use other methods whenever possible; heavy equipment can be costly to purchase, maintain and transport, and the method can often increase labor costs as well.
What Are the Uses for Recycled Asphalt?
Slabs and chunks of asphalt pavement are typically transported to an asphalt processing plant and used to produce recycled asphalt. The tailings produced by milling as well as asphalt that is not used on the job may also be taken to a processing plant. An asphalt company can then purchase material containing a specific amount of recycled asphalt. The reclaimed asphalt can be used for virtually any type of paving project, including those listed below.
1. When a parking lot or alley needs to be resurfaced or replaced, many customers choose a mix that contains recycled asphalt to reduce their costs.
2. Reclaimed asphalt is a popular choice for a pavement’s base and/or subbase. It may be combined with conventional aggregates to construct the supporting foundation, or it may be used to enhance the foundation’s strength and stability.
3. Milled asphalt as well as pulverized materials may be processed at the job site for use in base construction or repairs. These materials may also be used to repair potholes, but most contractors purchase recycled hot mix products from a processing plant for this purpose.
4. Recycled asphalt can also be used to construct or resurface residential driveways, highway shoulders or other pavements receiving only light traffic.
5. Although it is not a common application, recycled asphalt can be used to construct foundations for embankments or as a fill material for these projects.
If you would like to learn more about recycled asphalt pavement, contact the professionals at Dirtworks. We offer a wide range of services, including driveway paving, site work, excavations, commercial asphalt paving, asphalt reclamation, dirt road repair, parking lot striping, asphalt milling, asphalt repair, sealcoating and snow removal. Our customers in the Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts area include homeowners, healthcare facilities and hospitals, hotels, universities, municipalities, office buildings, religious institutions, retailers and subdivisions. Our outstanding reputation is based on delivering exceptional results and exemplary customer service at competitive prices. You can call 508-240-5541 or submit the online form to request a free estimate.
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