Every day, we face choices that have an environmental impact. What kind of car should we buy? What type of energy should we use? And when it comes to paving roads and sidewalks, what’s the most environmentally friendly option? Believe it or not, the answer is asphalt!
Whether taking up a parking lot paving project or constructing a road, you must be mindful of the environmental impact of the materials you use.
Here are just a few reasons why asphalt is the greenest paving material around:
What is Blacktop Made Of?
Asphalt, also called blacktop, is a paving material made from two main ingredients: aggregate (crushed stone, sand, or gravel) and asphalt binder (a petroleum product). The asphalt binder binds the aggregate together and gives blacktop its strength and flexibility.
Since these materials are all-natural, asphalt is considered a sustainable paving option. Additionally, the manufacturing process for asphalt is much less energy-intensive than other paving materials, like concrete.
Recycled Asphalt Is Environmentally Friendly
The asphalt paving industry recycles more than 100 million tons of asphalt pavement every year. This process starts with asphalt milling.
Asphalt milling removes the top layer of asphalt from a street, parking lot, or driveway. This asphalt is then transported to an asphalt plant, where it’s crushed and used to make new asphalt.
Not only does asphalt milling save valuable resources, but it also cuts down on pollution. The process of asphalt milling emits fewer greenhouse gases than if the asphalt were left in place and allowed to deteriorate.
Therefore, it’s safe to say that recycled asphalt causes fewer carbon emissions than any other paving material.
Helps Recycle Other Materials
Asphalt isn’t just good for the environment because it can be recycled. Asphalt helps to recycle other materials, too. For example, asphalt shingles can be ground up and used as pavement.
Old rubber tires, which would otherwise end up in landfills, can also be used in asphalt. This process is called rubberized asphalt, which is just one more way asphalt is helping to make the world greener.
Metal castings can also be recycled and used in asphalt. Imagine the waste that would be produced if all the metal castings from cars and other machines ended up in landfills!
Asphalt Pavement is Durable
Asphalt pavement has a life expectancy of 20 to 30 years. That’s longer than any other paving material!
It can withstand a lot of wear and tear, which is why it’s often used in high-traffic areas. Owing to this durability and element resistance, asphalt pavement doesn’t need to be repaired or replaced as often as other paving materials.
It means that resources like energy, money, and materials are conserved in the asphalt pavement life-cycle.
Conclusion:
Asphalt is genuinely the greenest paving material out there!
Suppose you’re looking for a sustainable paving option for your next road construction or parking lot paving project. In that case, asphalt is the way to go!
If you have questions about asphalt or need paving services, don’t hesitate to contact Atkins Paving in Charlotte, NC. We have two decades of experience in asphalt paving and would be happy to help you!
