Back to Resources

Research Report 219 Recycling of materials for more sustainable road construction

Published: | Category: Environmental impacts of land transport , Research programme , Research & reports | Audience: General

This research project examined the economic, structural and attitudinal impediments to the recycling of materials in roading in New Zealand.

It found that, although several materials (eg asphalt, tyres, waste oil, base course and aggregates from crushed concrete) could be recycled, little (excepting some base course) is recycled into New Zealand roads at present.

The structural process of specifications, tender evaluation and risk sharing are major impediments, along with the lack of knowledge of and experience with recycling withing the roading industry in New Zealand.

However, the industry believes it could quickly develop recycling and build its expertise if a supportive structural process was established.

Based on industry input and a review of international recycling initiatives, recommendations to overcome these impediments are proposed.

Keywords: asphalt, construction and demolition waste, impediments, New Zealand, policy, recycling, specification

Publication details

  • Author:
  • Published: 2001
  • Reference: 219