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GOODBYE SCRAP TYRE STOCKPILE; HELLO SUSTAINABLE ROADS
The US Recycled
Rubber Coalition has
published a paper
advocating the bene-
fits of rubber-modified
asphalt (RMA), an
asphalt mixture that
blends crumb rubber
from tyres with tradi-
tional materials. The
paper details material
specifications as well
as benefits for road
construction and
users.
At least 32 US states and countries including Australia, Canada
and the United Kingdom already use or plan to use RMA. US
states can call on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which offers
US$ 110 billion (EUR 116 billion) in surface transportation infra-
structure, to create ‘long-lasting, sustainable infrastructure’. The
coalition says RMA offers cost savings of over 40% compared to
traditional asphalt.
‘RMA is a win-win-win,’ says coalition spokesperson Stratton
Kirton. ‘Local governments win by making taxpayer dollars go fur-
ther, the environment wins by reducing emissions and keeping
scrap tyres out of landfills, and drivers win with smoother, quieter
roads.
‘States have the opportunity to make their infrastructure dollars
go further by expanding the use of RMA while tackling other
pressing challenges.’
In addition to lifecycle cost savings, RMA is said to reduce road-
related CO2 emissions by over 30%, noise by up to 10 decibels
and offers better grip by decreasing road spray in inclement
weather.
‘These benefits demonstrate the lifecycle impacts of the use of
RMA as a sustainable, innovative pavement material which serves
motorists, neighbourhoods, state departments of transportation
and the environment,’ according to the National Lieutenant
Governors Association.
It argues that innovative uses of recycled rubber, like RMA, have
made America a global leader in rubber recycling and secondary
use while helping to eliminate more than a billion scrap tyres
stockpiled nationwide. Nearly three-quarters of end-of-life tyres
are either recycled or given a secondary use.
www.icm.ch
Be part of the
Circular Economy Community
International Congress for Battery Recycling
September 14 – 16, Salzburg, Austria
International Electronics Recycling Congress
January 18 – 20, Salzburg, Austria
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