All You Need to Know About Asphalt and the Environment

Smith’s Paving is your expert in asphalt paving when it comes to driveways, parking lots, and much more. Not only do we get the job done in a timely manner but we understand the importance of informing our customers about the benefits of using asphalt paving and the effect it has on the environment.

Reuse, Recycle, & Be Green

The asphalt industry reclaims about 100 million tons of asphalt each year. With that 95 million tons is either reused or recycled making it America’s number one recycler. Materials that are reused to create asphalt include; rubber from used tires, glass, blast furnace slag, and asphalt roofing shingles. Not only is asphalt paving a higher recycled material it all requires about 20 percent less energy to produce and construct than any other type of pavement material. Studies show that asphalt pavements and stockpiles of reclaimed asphalt pavement do not leach. The result: asphalt pavements can contribute to more LEED credits than other pavement types.

How does it effect the environment and surface temperatures? 

Porous asphalt pavements have been shown to lower nighttime surface temperatures as compared to impervious pavements.

Porous asphalt pavement systems can replace impermeable surfaces for parking lots, roads, walking/biking paths, and other applications. Porous pavements can turn runoff into infiltration; restore the hydrology of a site, or even improve it; improve water quality; and eliminate the need for detention basins.

Asphalt is used to construct liners and caps for landfills. The impermeable material is an effective barrier to potential leaks. Drinking water reservoirs are often lined with asphalt. Asphalt cement is also used to line water pipes that supply potable water to humans. Oregon and Washington state fish and wildlife agencies use asphalt pavement to line their fish rearing ponds.

All in all using asphalt pavement materials for your next paving project would be a good choice to make.