In a first for South Australia, The City of PAE is paving streets with high-recycled-content asphalt including 10% locally-recycled glass. This is the first time recycled glass has played a role in asphalt in the state.
By replacing quarry sand with recycled glass, it reduces requirements for new carbon materials. Road surfacing also provides a use for fractions and colours of glass waste generated by recycling facilities which are not suitable for re-use in new glass products, so would otherwise be sent to landfill.
The asphalt containing 10% glass was produced at Downer’s Sustainable Road Resource Centre in Wingfield, before being laid on Dyott Avenue and Flint Street in Hampstead Gardens.
Previously we have trialled using asphalt containing other recycled materials including soft plastics and waste toner. Having fast realised the associated benefits, including enhanced economic outcomes and significantly reduced CO2 emissions, the City adopted high-recycled-content road surfacing solutions for the majority of it’s ongoing road resurfacing and maintenance works
As well as providing the opportunity to create a circular economy from local recycled products, the use of high-recycled-content, low-carbon asphalt also offers a surprise benefit, with the costs being lower when compared to current bitumen price volatility.
The use of locally-recycled glass in road surfacing is representative of our commitment to energy, water and waste efficient procurement. In 21,774 tonnes of asphalt laid over the last year, the City of PAE has repurposed more than 12.5 million plastic bags, toner from 366,000 printer cartridges, and 7,262 tonnes of recycled asphalt pavement, delivering a carbon emission saving of more than 294 tonnes in just 12 months.