Asphalt Recycling

What Is Asphalt Recycling?

Last reviewed by James Hartley on 01 April 2026

Asphalt Recycling is the process of collecting and reusing old asphalt pavement materials, which helps reduce waste and conserve natural resources. According to the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), in 2021 over 100 million tons of reclaimed asphalt pavement were recycled in the US.

Asphalt Recycling saves money by reducing the need for new raw materials. Asphalt Recycling also conserves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to producing virgin asphalt. By reusing old materials, Asphalt Recycling helps meet environmental goals set by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits and green building certifications.

According to the UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, only 22.3% of e-waste was properly collected and recycled in 2022.

Where to Recycle Asphalt

You can recycle Asphalt Recycling at asphalt plants, construction and demolition (C&D) recycling centers, road construction companies, and some aggregate suppliers. For example, the C&D Recycling Center in Los Angeles accepts clean millings free of charge up to $5 per ton, while mixed debris costs around $15-$40 per ton for disposal.

How to Prepare Asphalt for Recycling

To prepare Asphalt Recycling for recycling, start by cleaning out any large pieces of debris such as concrete or metal. Use a magnet to remove ferrous metals and other contaminants like plastic and wood. Next, crush the material into uniform-sized chunks if needed-typically about 1 inch in diameter. If you're dealing with hot asphalt, ensure it cools down completely before handling.

What Is Asphalt Worth?

Clean asphalt millings can be free or worth up to $5 per ton, thanks to high demand from recycling centers and contractors looking for quality materials. However, mixed asphalt with debris is often a disposal burden costing between $15 and $40 per ton due to the higher processing costs associated with removing contaminants.

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Environmental Impact

By choosing Asphalt Recycling over landfilling, you can save significant amounts of energy and resources. For instance, recycling 1 ton of RAP saves approximately 3 barrels of oil compared to producing new asphalt mixtures from scratch. Additionally, it reduces carbon dioxide emissions by about 25% per ton recycled.

Safety and Regulations

Handling Asphalt Recycling requires safety precautions due to the potential for severe burns from hot asphalt. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, goggles, and heavy-duty clothing when dealing with heated materials. Tar-based sealcoats contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are carcinogens; therefore, proper ventilation is important during application or removal processes.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) allows up to 50% reclaimed asphalt pavement in new paving mixes, promoting the use of recycled materials. Violations can result in hefty fines and penalties ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 per incident under various state regulations like California's Proposition 65.

By embracing Asphalt Recycling practices, you not only comply with environmental laws but also contribute positively towards sustainable construction methods that benefit both the economy and the environment.

According to the UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, The value of raw materials in global e-waste was estimated at $91 billion in 2022.

Sources

• UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024
• Consumer Technology Association