Is Recycling the Secret to Eco

Each year, businesses need to find new ways to innovate and keep up with technological advances. Some fields and industries are in the public eye, such as phone companies when they release their new products, so every change is noticed. But what about asphalt? Asphalt paving and roofing may not seem like the most thrilling […]

By Qrius

Each year, businesses need to find new ways to innovate and keep up with technological advances. Some fields and industries are in the public eye, such as phone companies when they release their new products, so every change is noticed. But what about asphalt? Asphalt paving and roofing may not seem like the most thrilling industries, but big changes are coming that make it even more eco-friendly. Let's look at a few ways recycling is being used in industries that use asphalt.

There are paved surfaces everywhere, but what goes into them? Most roads, parking lots, driveways, and even some walkways are made with only asphalt. Asphalt driveways are also popular for many residential properties. According to Home Guide, most companies offer a 3 to 10-year warranty, which makes this paving material quite popular.

However, your driveway may soon include something else: water bottles. Paving with a mixture of asphalt and plastic bottles can result in a stronger, longer-lasting surface. While this is a major benefit for property owners, the biggest benefit is keeping non-recyclable plastic out of landfills. With stronger and more weather-resistant roads, people can focus less on replacing run-down asphalt and instead work on building roads that lead to new places.

Another way companies are working to keep things out of landfills is by recycling asphalt shingles, which, according to Consumer Reports, are the most popular choice for homeowners because they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to have installed by professionals. When roofs are replaced, the shingles aren't necessarily recycled properly. According to Onedesk, upwards of 90% of the roofing market is from replacement alone. This means that there are a lot of shingles that are discarded on a regular basis.

One method that's being tested to address this issue is using mushrooms. The mushrooms are placed on the shingles, which break down the asphalt. The resulting material is known as mycelium, which is a network of stems that creates a thick, dense block of fungi matter. Currently, there are people trying to find an application for this byproduct and it could be used to build eco-friendly buildings or become the newest and greatest insulation for homes and businesses. Whatever its purpose, this method may make asphalt more eco-friendly.

As previously stated, most roads in the United States are made with asphalt. According to the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), of the 2.6 million miles of paved roads in the United States, over 94% are surfaced with asphalt. In order to keep up with the high demand for freshly-paved roads, it's essential that researchers find ways to create higher volumes of paving material, that may even come with added benefits. While plastic bottles are one option, another to consider is printer cartridges, also known as toner cartridges.

Due to their disposable nature, most toner cartridges end up in landfills. That may soon be changing as researchers have found that the plastic used to hold the printer ink is a wonderful material for binding together the asphalt. Not only is it abundant, but it's a soft plastic that works well as a binder due to its low melting point. If recent experiments with using cartridges in paving projects are successful, this type of paving will soon be used across the country.

Paving with plastic, recycling asphalt with mushrooms, and building new roads with printer cartridges are exciting new developments that may someday change the world. New technological innovations are developed every day and will continue to improve the lives of people. With its versatility, asphalt may soon be used in applications people may have never considered before and become an even more eco-friendly material.

Stay updated with all the insights.Navigate news, 1 email day. Subscribe to Qrius