The use of recycled materials for pavements in Western Australia

There have been a number of innovations and developments in Western Australia in recent years on the use of recycled materials in road pavement construction. Materials used or being researched include demolition materials (concrete, bricks and tiles), asphalt millings, existing granular pavement material, scrap rubber, glass, plastic and vitrified clay pipe. There are sound environmental reasons for making use of recycled materials. In terms of cost, savings in landfill fees are a significant factor. In some cases, the addition of recycled material to standard road pavement materials such as bitumen and asphaltic concrete results in an improvement in properties. A key objective of this paper is to facilitate the wider adoption of the use of recycled materials in road pavement construction. This document was produced by a working group from the Western Australian Pavements Group (a subcommittee of Australian Geomechanics Society comprising Consultants, Main Roads WA, Local Government, Material Suppliers, Contractors and Researchers).

“Old boots, tin kettles and other things of that kind, formed a capital first foundation for a new road over a meadow. In laying out a new estate, he knew of nothing better, except perhaps burnt ballast.” Longrove (1879).