> 99 percent of reclaimed asphalt pavement being put back to use
Can't that be interpreted as them just not reclaiming asphalt they can't reuse? Genuinely asking, since things like this are often optimally worded for good publicity.
Can't that be interpreted as them just not reclaiming asphalt they can't reuse? Genuinely asking, since things like this are often optimally worded for good publicity.
Cement is a chemical process that can't be easily undone so once you use cement you are hooped, very limited recycling options other than grind it up and use it as filler in the new batch.
The claim and wording is valid and correct, though. You cannot recycle asphalt if you leave it in place. And what is removed is recycled at a rate of 99%.
If you don't reclaim the asphalt, then it's still in place, and technically still in use.
The next chunk in the abstract I quoted is:
"The average percentage of RAP used in asphalt mixtures has increased from 15.6 percent in 2009 to 21.1 percent in 2019. In 2019, the estimated RAP tonnage used in asphalt mixtures was 89.2 million tons. This represents 4.5 million tons (24 million barrels) of asphalt binder conserved, along with the replacement of more than 84 million tons of virgin aggregate."
That gives some context as to how much is actually being reused.