When you think of recycling, you might picture bottles or paper—but asphalt is actually recycled more than any other material in the U.S. The scale and sustainability impact of asphalt recycling has broader takeaways for the rest of the construction industry as it moves toward a more sustainable future.
LEADING THE NATION IN RECYCLING
The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) reports that asphalt is reused at an astonishing rate: in 2022, 98.1 million tons of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) were incorporated into new mixes—a 75% increase since 2009.
That RAP usage saved the United States 4.9 million of tons of asphalt binder and more than 93 million tons of aggregate while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2.7 million metric tons CO2e — the equivalent of taking 600,000 passenger vehicles off the road each year.
Put simply: asphalt isn’t just recycled—it’s leading the nation in recycling by weight.
WHY ASPHALT RECYCLING WORKS—AND WHY IT MATTERS
Sustainability Without Sacrifice: Asphalt can be recycled repeatedly without losing quality—making it an ideal material for a circular economy. With less than 1% of pavement is landfilled, most reclaimed material is reused immediately or stockpiled for later use.
Proven Cost Efficiency: Using RAP and WMA saves contractors and agencies money on materials and disposal fees.
Performance That Holds Up: With proper quality control—testing binder properties, mix design and gradation—RAP mixes can meet or exceed standard performance specs. Agencies across states are piloting balanced mix design (BMD) to support high RAP content while managing cracking and rutting issues.
ASPHALT LEADING ON EPDS
When it comes to Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), asphalt is paving the way—literally and figuratively. As the most recycled material in America, asphalt producers are already ahead of the curve in tracking and reducing environmental impacts.
EPDs are like “nutrition labels” for materials, detailing things like greenhouse gas emissions and energy use across the product’s lifecycle. For asphalt, this includes everything from aggregate sourcing to plant operations.
The takeaway for the broader construction industry? Contractors who can provide EPDs are more competitive in today’s marketplace and clients and regulators alike want to see measurable environmental efforts.
Asphalt’s early investment in EPDs sets an example that other sectors—like concrete, steel and aggregates—can follow for greener, data-backed practices.
LESSONS FROM ASPHALT’S RECYCLING SUCCESS
The asphalt industry offers a powerful case study in how large-scale construction can embrace circular practices without sacrificing performance or profit.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sustainable materials management (SMM) emphasizes the efficient use and reuse of materials across their lifecycle—not just end-of-life recycling. Asphalt's widespread reuse reflects this approach, with integrated planning that anticipates material recovery from the outset.
This level of foresight is where many construction sectors—especially concrete, demolition and even building interiors—can improve.
Lessons learned from asphalt recycling such as the value of stockpile management, process innovation and environmental reporting can be applied to everything from steel reuse in bridge structures to modular building components in vertical construction. The key takeaway? When recycling is baked into the project lifecycle, not tacked on as an afterthought, both economic and environmental benefits scale up quickly.
A MORE SUSTINABLE FUTURE
Asphalt sets the standard for sustainable material reuse in construction. Its high recycling rate—paired with cost savings, environmental benefits and performance reliability—models how other materials might follow. Regulations and incentives, like FHWA’s low-carbon transportation materials funding, are accelerating adoption.
Contractors and DOTs embracing RAP, WMA and in place recycling become not only more efficient but also future-proofed against resource scarcity and environmental regulation.
Asphalt wasn’t just recycled—it was engineered that way. And a lot of ongoing work is happening to keeping asphalt’s future a sustainable one.
For the construction industry, this is a benchmark to build on. We can procure smarter, design with reuse in mind and let asphalt’s success inform broader practices. Sustainability and savings can—and should—go hand in hand.
Ready to build a more sustainable future in construction? Discover more about asphalt sustainability with full-depth reclamation and hot in-place asphalt recycling. Then explore the latest trends in eco-friendly equipment, practical sustainability tips that deliver real impact, and proven strategies to write and win green building bids. Let’s turn smart choices into lasting change in construction—starting today.
Photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK/JUAN ENRIQUE DEL BARRIO
