Understand what the differences are between traditional asphalt and asphalt made of recycled materialsAll companies and homeowners want to be as environmentally responsible as they can be. Reducing our collective carbon footprint is more than a trendy cause du jour, it’s a global necessity.
The three R’s of environmental waste management – reduce, reuse, and recycle – long ago entered our modern vernacular, but is using recycled asphalt to pave your residential or commercial driveway a wise investment?
Durable and versatile, asphalt provides smooth driving surfaces combined with excellent traction. But how affordable is recycled asphalt compared to hot-mix asphalt? Are recycled asphalt’s bonding qualities comparable? And how do driveways paved with recycled asphalt endure Southern Ontario’s harsh, cold winters and blazing, hot summers?
What Is Recycled Asphalt?
Also referred to as reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), recycled asphalt can be made from many re-useable materials including traditional asphalt, and recycled plastic waste salvaged from incineration plants and the ocean. Whether by using RAP, plastic waste, or a combination of both, sustainable initiatives such as using recycled asphalt are increasingly gaining traction among businesses, governments, and residents worldwide. According to one U.S.-based research consultancy’s report, such initiatives can generate significant cost savings, as well as reduce fossil fuel reliance.
Concerning longevity, it is estimated recycled asphalt degrades at a slower rate than traditional asphalt, and any driveway, walkway, or road paved with recycled asphalt can itself be recycled a second time. Moreover, recycled asphalt reduces quarrying, mining, and oil consumption, and it is every bit as durable as its traditional counterpart. Thus, recycled asphalt can withstand Southern Ontario’s extreme and fluctuating weather conditions year-round.
From a cost perspective, recycled asphalt is about $1 per half-a-meter or foot. Additionally, it’s worthwhile to note recycled asphalt helps with reducing dust and dirt in the summertime that traditional gravel-based asphalt driveways kick up.
Environmentally Friendly Materials and Practices
AMPAC has been at the vanguard among paving companies for using environmentally friendly materials, as well as ensuring we abide by eco-friendly best practices in every landscaping or hardscaping project we undertake.
So, is recycled asphalt the best bet for your next residential or commercial paving project? Indeed, it is. And in addition to the high-quality, environmentally sensitive materials and service excellence you can expect from our team, you get the peace of mind knowing that in your pocket of the world, you’re doing your part to preserve our beautiful planet.
Do you have questions about what your paving options are on your residential or commercial property? Get in touch. We’ve been providing homeowners and businesses across the Greater Toronto Area with exceptional paving and landscaping services since the 1970s.