A low carbon asphalt, consisting of recycled pavement and recycled printer toner, has been trialled on Kelleway Avenue in Nicholls, ACT this month.
Tony Gill, Director for Roads ACT, said in a statement that the new asphalt product was selected for trial on the site as part of the agency’s scheduled resurfacing program.
Together with the contractor Downer EDI, Roads ACT trialled the new low carbon asphalt that consists of recycled road pavement and recycled printer toner.
“Production of the new asphalt product will result in a smaller carbon footprint in comparison to other asphalt mixtures,” said Mr. Gill.
“By using this new asphalt product, we can save 14 kilograms of carbon dioxide from being produced for every tonne of product used. This of course helps contribute to a better climate and environment outcomes for our community,” he said.
Approximately 160 tonnes of asphalt was laid, saving 2.24 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Downer EDI’s General Manager for road resurfacing (ACT & NSW), Gana Varendran, said in the statement that current practice in the ACT sees hot mix asphalt used with a low recycled content of about 10 percent.
“In close partnership with Roads ACT, we’re very pleased to lead the way in using low carbon asphalt in the Territory that takes recycled content up to 30 percent,” said Mr. Varendran.
“This new benchmark in sustainable asphalt in the Territory will support the ACT Government’s Waste Management Strategy (2011-2025) in reducing waste and recovering valuable resources to achieve a sustainable carbon-neutral Canberra.”
Mr. Gill said that Roads ACT will evaluate the performance of this product over the next several years and compare it to other areas of resurfacing laid at the same time.
“This work is part of the ACT Government’s scheduled resurfacing works to ensure Canberra’s roads are safe for motorists and other road users. Since September 2015, Roads ACT has worked around the clock in completing 750,000 square metres of resurfacing across Canberra’s roads which is 75 percent of the annual target,” he said.