What is the background on recycling concrete as aggregate for concrete pavement?
• Disposal of existing concrete pavements is often a problem faced on many pavement reconstruction projects. Recycling concrete, as an aggregate product, is common practice by several State Departments of Transportation (DOTs), private industry, and many foreign agencies. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Policy Memorandum “Formal Policy on the Use of Recycled Materials,” dated February 7, 2002, states that reusing the material used to build the original highway system “… makes sound economic, environmental, and engineering sense.” It also emphasizes that recycled materials must be used in an appropriate manner that “… shall not affect the performance, safety or the environment of the highway system.” Environmental issues and costs associated with removal and disposal of old concrete must be addressed early in the project development. • Options for dealing with the old pavement include the following: • (1) Removal from the site and disposal in a landfill, or usage in other
