Local recyclers of asphalt and concrete may include construction material companies, sand and gravel producers, and asphalt plants. Alternatively, the material can be recycled on base. Asphalt and concrete rubble can be recycled on base without further processing for use as general rubble fill in low-lying areas or quarries. However, a more beneficial use of the material is to crush the asphalt and concrete using a portable crusher. The crushed product can be used as a substitute for crushed stone products in road construction (pavement and road base) and as a fill material (footing and foundation backfill and general fill). The use of crushed concrete for landfill roadways or landfill covers should also be investigated as a potential market. Large slabs of concrete can be used as rip rap to prevent shoreline and stream erosion, or used in various projects such as artificial reef development. However, the origin of the concrete and asphalt must be investigated before use. Any concrete that has been exposed to PCBs, lead, or other contaminates may not be used in the previous applications.

The two types of on-site recycling of asphalt pavement include surface recycling and road base recycling. Surface recycling involves breaking up the top layer of a pavement structure to a depth of about one-inch by milling or crushing the material, and then re-compacting the loose material. A new surface is placed on top of the recycled asphalt, and the pavement is compacted again. Road base recycling involves recycling both the asphalt surface and base material to produce a new road base. There is a machine on the market that uses a cutter drum to raise asphalt and base material. The base aggregate and asphalt top coat are blended and crushed by the machine to produce a well-graded base course, and then deposited back on the roadway. A new surface is then placed on top of the recycled road base. Alternatively, recycled asphalt can be transported to an asphalt batch plant and processed.

The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as a general guideline and are not meant to be strictly interpreted. Actual compliance benefits will vary depending on the factors involved, e.g. the amount of workload involved.

Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this technology.

• Recycling asphalt and concrete on base provides a source of crushed stone product for base applications and reduces the cost of new material.
• Saves landfill space.
• Income is generated from the sale of scrap rebar, copper piping, and used bricks.
• Cost savings in landfill tipping fees.
• Cost savings in transportation when material is re-used on base.
• Conserves resources.
• Plumbing and lighting fixtures can be sold to fixture reclamation vendors.

• Machinery may require air permits or permits-to-operate, depending on local and state regulations where this technology is to be implemented. Permits-to-operate establish compliance requirements, administrative and procedural standards to operate maintain, renew and or revise permits.
• Regulatory compliance may be required with regard to source emission standards and fugitive emissions, etc., generated by the process.
• Certain regulatory requirements and restrictions may apply if the materials are found to contain hazardous materials.

Assumptions:

• Recycle crushed asphalt and concrete on base at 240 ton/yr.
• Crushing costs: $4/ton (includes labor and crusher rental)
• Landfill costs (inert wastes): $1/ton
• Hauling costs: $5/ton
• Avoided new fill material costs: $12/ton

Economic Analysis Summary

Annual Savings for Recycling: $3,340
Capital Cost for Diversion Equipment/Process: $0
Payback Period for Investment in Equipment/Process: Immediate

Click Here to view an Active Spreadsheet for this Economic Analysis and Enter Your Own Values.