How to Recycle Asphalt
Asphalt paving material and hot mix asphalt (HMA) from roads, driveways, parking lots, and other paved surfaces. Asphalt is 100% recyclable and represents one of the most recycled materials in the world with over 99% of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) being reused in new road construction. Recycling asphalt reduces the need for virgin materials and significantly lowers construction costs while maintaining performance standards.
- 1Remove all non-asphalt materials including concrete, metal, and debris
- 2Separate clean asphalt from contaminated sections with oil, chemicals, or paint
- 3Break up large sections into manageable chunks (typically 6-8 inches maximum)
- 4Remove any embedded utilities, drainage materials, or foreign objects
- 5Sort by thickness and type - surface courses separate from base materials
- 6Keep dry and covered during storage to prevent moisture contamination
- 7Document the source and age of asphalt for quality assessment
- 8Remove any attached concrete, brick, or other paving materials
- 9Screen out oversized pieces that cannot be processed by recycling equipment
- 10Load carefully to minimize cross-contamination with other construction materials
- Asphalt plants and hot mix producers with RAP processing capabilities
- Road construction contractors with mobile recycling equipment
- Quarries and aggregate producers accepting clean asphalt for crushing
- Municipal public works departments with asphalt recycling programs
- Construction and demolition waste facilities with asphalt separation
- Paving contractors offering comprehensive recycling services
- Specialized asphalt recycling facilities with quality control testing
Hot mix asphalt must be completely cooled before recycling processing. Coal tar-based sealers and older pavements may contain PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) requiring special handling. Never mix asphalt with concrete as this creates processing difficulties and reduces recycled material quality. Some recycled asphalt may require testing for petroleum product contamination before reuse approval.
Asphalt recycling prevents millions of tons from entering landfills annually while conserving natural resources. Using recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) in new construction reduces virgin aggregate demand by 21+ million tons yearly and saves 1.8 billion gallons of asphalt binder. Energy savings from RAP usage equals the annual energy consumption of 1.2 million homes. Recycling 1 mile of 4-lane highway saves 4,000 tons of aggregate and 200,000 gallons of liquid asphalt binder. Additionally, asphalt recycling reduces transportation emissions and construction costs by 10-35%.
- On-site crushing and reuse for road base or sub-base applications
- Cold recycling techniques for in-place pavement rehabilitation
- Donation to local municipalities for maintenance and repair projects
- Use as aggregate in non-structural applications like landscaping
- Processing into cold mix asphalt for pothole repair operations
Accepted
- Hot mix asphalt (HMA) from road surfaces and parking lots
- Asphalt millings from road resurfacing and milling operations
- Clean asphalt chunks from demolition and excavation projects
- Asphalt shingles without fiberglass backing (at some facilities)
- Cold mix asphalt and patch materials
- Asphalt overlays and surface treatments
- Residential driveway and walkway asphalt materials
Not Accepted
- Asphalt contaminated with oil, gasoline, or other petroleum products
- Mixed asphalt and concrete that cannot be easily separated
- Asphalt with significant amounts of dirt, vegetation, or debris
- Coal tar-sealed pavements without proper testing and handling
- Asphalt roofing materials with complex backing or coatings
- Asphalt mixed with hazardous materials or chemical contamination
- Wet or saturated asphalt that has absorbed excessive moisture
Estimated value: RAP material value $8-15 per ton, avoided disposal costs $25-50 per ton, reduced aggregate costs $12-20 per ton, potential revenue from clean asphalt
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
- Potential PAH contamination in older asphalt pavements
- Coal tar sealers containing carcinogenic compounds
- Petroleum product contamination from vehicle leaks
- Dust generation during crushing requiring respiratory protection
- Heat exposure risks during handling of recently removed hot asphalt
What percentage of asphalt can typically be recycled in new road construction?
Modern road construction can incorporate 15-30% recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) in surface courses and up to 50% in base courses without compromising performance. Some specialty applications can use 100% recycled content with proper processing and additives.
How does recycled asphalt compare to virgin materials in terms of performance?
Properly processed recycled asphalt performs equally to virgin materials when used within recommended percentages. RAP actually improves mixture stiffness and can enhance fatigue resistance while reducing temperature susceptibility in many applications.
Can asphalt shingles be recycled with road asphalt?
Some facilities accept clean asphalt shingles without fiberglass backing, but they require separate processing. Shingles have different composition and may contain granules that require removal. Check with specific facilities about shingle acceptance policies.
What's the difference between hot and cold asphalt recycling?
Hot recycling involves heating and processing at asphalt plants, allowing complete rejuvenation of aged binder. Cold recycling occurs in-place with emulsions or foam, requiring less energy but with different performance characteristics. Both methods are environmentally beneficial.
How should contractors handle asphalt removal to maximize recycling value?
Minimize contamination by keeping asphalt separate from concrete and debris, avoid over-breaking during removal, coordinate with recycling facilities before demolition, and consider milling instead of complete removal when possible to produce higher-quality RAP.
Are there quality standards for recycled asphalt pavement?
Yes, state DOTs and industry standards specify RAP gradation, asphalt content, and contamination limits. Testing ensures recycled material meets structural requirements and doesn't introduce harmful substances. Quality RAP commands higher prices and broader acceptance.
What happens to the asphalt binder during the recycling process?
Aged asphalt binder in RAP has become stiffer over time. Recycling either blends it with virgin binder to achieve proper consistency or uses rejuvenating agents to restore original properties. This allows the old binder to contribute to new pavement performance.
Can contaminated asphalt be cleaned and recycled?
Lightly contaminated asphalt may be processed through washing or screening, but petroleum contamination typically requires hazardous waste disposal. Soil contamination can sometimes be removed, while chemical contamination usually prevents recycling entirely.
How does asphalt recycling impact construction project costs?
Using RAP typically reduces material costs by 10-35% depending on RAP percentage and local material prices. Transportation costs may also decrease when using local recycled materials instead of hauling virgin aggregates from distant quarries.
What are the environmental benefits of asphalt recycling beyond waste reduction?
Asphalt recycling reduces energy consumption by 20-30%, decreases greenhouse gas emissions, preserves natural aggregate resources, reduces quarrying environmental impact, and minimizes transportation-related emissions through local material sourcing.