Torn up asphalt in Jacksonville goes through a fascinating recycling journey that benefits both the environment and the economy. When old roads, driveways, and parking lots are removed during renovation or replacement projects, the resulting asphalt debris doesn’t simply go to waste.
## The Recycling Process
The process begins when contractors remove the existing asphalt surface. Special machines grind the old asphalt into smaller pieces. These fragments are then transported to asphalt recycling facilities throughout Jacksonville. At these plants, the asphalt pieces undergo crushing and screening to create what industry professionals call Recycled Asphalt Pavement or RAP.
This recycled material maintains many of the valuable properties of virgin asphalt. The petroleum-based binder in old asphalt still has value, which makes recycling both environmentally and economically sensible.
## Where Does It Go
Most torn up asphalt in Jacksonville gets a second life in new paving projects. The recycled material can be mixed with new asphalt to create fresh pavement for roads, driveways, and parking lots. This practice reduces the need for virgin materials and cuts down on resource consumption.
Local municipalities often include recycled asphalt requirements in their road maintenance contracts. This creates a steady demand for RAP and ensures the material stays out of landfills.
Some recycled asphalt is used for temporary roads or as base material for construction projects. The versatility of recycled asphalt makes it valuable across different applications in the construction industry.
## Environmental Benefits
Recycling asphalt in Jacksonville helps reduce the environmental impact of road construction in several ways. First, it significantly decreases the amount of construction waste going to landfills. Second, using recycled materials reduces the need to mine and process new aggregate and petroleum products.
The energy savings are substantial too. Producing new asphalt requires heating materials to high temperatures, which consumes significant energy. Incorporating recycled materials reduces these energy demands.
In recent projects near the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, contractors made special efforts to recycle asphalt to minimize environmental impact on this sensitive natural area. This approach helped protect the preserve while still maintaining necessary infrastructure.
## Economic Advantages
The recycling of torn up asphalt offers cost savings for both contractors and taxpayers. New asphalt mixtures can contain up to 30 percent recycled material without compromising quality, which reduces material costs.
Transportation expenses decrease as well. When asphalt can be recycled locally, there’s less need to transport heavy materials over long distances. This reduces fuel consumption and overall project costs.
Jacksonville benefits from these cost savings in public works projects, allowing more road maintenance to be completed within existing budgets.
When you need professional asphalt services that prioritize environmental responsibility and quality, Bold City Seal & Asphalt Services is your local expert. Our team understands the proper techniques for removing, recycling, and installing asphalt surfaces throughout Jacksonville. For your next asphalt project, call us at (904) 907-9394 to learn how we can provide sustainable solutions while delivering superior results.