Why Asphalt?
Asphalt – The Sustainable Choice
From production and paving to reclaiming, recycling and remanufacturing, asphalt is clearly the sustainable pavement of choice. In fact, approximately 94 percent of all paved surfaces in the United States are paved with asphalt due to the many advantages that asphalt provides.
Asphalt pavement offers:
- Low consumption of energy for production and construction; asphalt pavements require about 20 percent less energy to produce and construct than other pavements
- Low emission of greenhouse gases
- Conservation of natural resources
- A very low carbon footprint
- Durability that provides a lower life-cycle cost
- Asphalt pavements provide a smooth, quiet ride
- Smooth pavements save fuel, save vehicle operating costs, and last longer
- Asphalt pavements are smoother than concrete pavements
- For initial construction and over the long haul, asphalt pavement saves money on construction and maintenance
The Most Important Advantage
According to the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, asphalt pavement is America’s number one recycled product – more than newspaper, aluminum cans, or glass. About 100 million
tons of old asphalt pavement are reclaimed every year, with about 60 million tons reused in new asphalt mixes, and some 40 million used in other pavement related applications, such as aggregate road base.
