100% recycled road
18 March 2019
In
an Australian-first,
Downer has partnered with the
City of Adelaide to
construct a
road made completely from
recycled material.
The recycled road is made up of reclaimed
asphalt pavement from local
streets and recycled vegetable oil from local suppliers. The recycled
asphalt mix has been processed through Downer’s state-of-the-art asphalt
plant in Wingfield, before being laid on Chatham Street in the city’s
south west.
Downer’s General Manager – Pavements, Stuart Billing, said this
milestone demonstrates the importance of partnerships with other thought
leaders to set new benchmarks in recycling and repurposing local
materials into new streams of use.
“Together with City of Adelaide, we have set a new benchmark in
achieving sustainable solutions through thought leadership and a
determination to make a positive difference,” said Mr Billing.
“Further to the direct sustainability benefits of using renewable
materials, the 100 per cent recycled road saves up to 65 per cent CO2e
emissions when mixed at a lower temperature (warm mix asphalt), compared
to standard asphalt made with virgin materials.
“Just as importantly, our Australian-first 100 per cent recycled asphalt
is about 25 per cent stronger than standard asphalt, which means it will
be able to better resist deformation.
“This proves that with the right technology and capability we are making
City of Adelaide’s
roads more sustainable.”
Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said that this achievement aligns with
Council’s ambitions to become a leading smart, green, liveable and
creative city.
“The project originates from a Motion on Notice brought to Council last
year, which asked the administration to seek to maximise the amount of
recycled material used within our roads,” said the Lord Mayor.
“This is a great example of Council using innovative methods to improve
the work we do throughout the city. At around the same cost as the
standard process, the recycled road is cost effective and, as we’re
recycling our own materials, it has a great benefit to the environment.
“We will now closely monitor the road’s performance and durability.
Based on the outcomes of this trial, I’m sure Councillors will be open
to seeing more of this type of road constructed throughout the city and
North
Adelaide in the near future.”
--ENDS--
Source: Downer - www.downergroup.com
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