The positive impacts of pavement recycling are many.

By using recycled pavement, approximately 30-35% of the required amount of new liquid asphalt and aggregates can be replaced with recycled materials in a VDOT approved mix.
The cost savings are as much as 30-35% of the total price of equivalent new liquid asphalt and aggregates.

How does it impact the environment?

Asphalt pavement is the largest volume recycled product in the country. During the 2013 construction season more than 67.8 million tons of RAP (reclaimed asphalt pavement) and nearly 1.65 million tons of RAS were put to use in new pavements in the United States, saving taxpayers more than $2 billion. Using recycled pavement saves landfill space, saves the use of a non-renewable resource (aggregates and liquid asphalt), and saves the energy and emissions needed to extract and transport the aggregates and liquid asphalt (oil and fuel).

What level of quality can be expected?

When comparing the quality of recycled pavement versus new materials it’s important to know they’re equal. Material testing confirms that mixes with all new materials are indiscernible from mixes with recycled materials.

Are there other less obvious benefits?

Actually there are. Because you’re reusing existing asphalt, there are no additional costs to put recycled material in landfills.

Economic Benefits.

Asphalt is derived from petroleum and it is therefore susceptible to fluctuating prices in the market. Old asphalt is readily available to be pulled up or processed on site, and has already been paid for, so there are no market fluctuations to worry about.

Interesting News about Asphalt.

25% or more of asphalt material in most states is made up of recycled asphalt, and the Federal Highway Administration has research projects testing mixes of up to 50 percent.

Sustainability.

Recycled asphalt cuts down on the production of the paving materials required in a mix, can lead to less costly rehabilitation projects and minimizes the impact on the environment. It doesn’t require much energy to produce, emits only low amount of greenhouse gasses, and helps conserve natural resources.