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RECYCLED MATERIALS
In 2003 and 2006, California used 224,700 waste tires behind two freeway walls; the lighter fill reduced pressure on the structures by about 30%California has taken a progressive step by integrating millions of waste tires into its freeway construction. This innovative approach invo...- In 2020, Miami sank 73 concrete sections from the SW 1st Street Bridge to create an artificial reef; the pieces now provide habitat 8 feet above the seabedIn an innovative environmental move, Miami-Dade County has submerged sections of a demolished bridge to form artificial reefs. This effort ...
- In 2023, North Carolina sank 1,700 tons of concrete pipes and manholes at AR-305; the material added fish habitat off the coast of BeaufortIn July 2023, the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries implemented an innovative project by submerging recycled concrete pipes and m...
- In 2007, California rebuilt 160 feet of sliding Marina Drive with 133,000 discarded tires; the lighter repair saved Mendocino County about $740,000 in costsMendocino County pioneered an innovative approach by utilizing 133,000 discarded tires to produce Tire-Derived Aggregate for its road const...
- South Carolina used 50 retired shipping containers to create two artificial reefs in 2005; the containers were prepared to provide shelter for marine lifeOff the coast of South Carolina, the innovative use of steel shipping containers as artificial reefs is becoming increasingly popular. By r...
- In 2021, Pennsylvania mixed plastic equal to about 150,000 shopping bags into 1.5 miles of road at Ridley Creek; later checks found it performing like normal asphaltIn Pennsylvania, innovative engineers have embarked on a groundbreaking project, integrating recycled plastic from single-use shopping bags...
- In 2026, Utah began recycling 35 miles of US 50 in place instead of hauling away the old road; the method reuses 90% of the material and is expected to save $5 millionIn Utah, a groundbreaking road restoration initiative is underway on US Route 50, employing cold in-place recycling. This innovative method...
- Engineers replaced 20% of cement with powdered waste glass in a field project; 3 years later, the concrete showed no deterioration or material failureRecent studies suggest that incorporating 20% crushed waste glass into concrete can significantly improve its properties. This method not o...
- Since 1978, Caltrans has used recycled tire rubber in 17 asphalt overlays; a technical review found less cracking, distress and maintenance than conventional mixtures, including thicker onesIn the United States, an astounding 273 million tires are discarded every year, resulting in a considerable amount of waste. To address thi...
- In Hong Kong, engineers turned waste glass into concrete blocks; 15 years later, field checks found no cracking from the reaction that can damage glass concreteFor over 15 years, engineers in Hong Kong have pioneered the use of recycled glass in concrete pavers, meticulously studying their performa...
- In 2005, Missouri turned old roofing shingles into part of Route 61/67; six years later, MoDOT still called the St. Louis County pavement's performance favorableEvery year, countless tons of discarded asphalt shingles fill landfills across the U.S. Since 2003, Missouri’s Department of Transportation...
- In 1997, Sweden used copper-smelting slag beneath a road near Luleå; after 10 years, copper, nickel and zinc leaching had declined below recommended thresholdsA decade-long study in Sweden investigated the environmental effects of incorporating copper slag in road construction. The researchers obs...
- In the late 1970s, a Wyoming section of I-80 used 85% recycled pavement; an FHWA review reported that it lasted 12 years before rehabilitationAsphalt recycling has been an effective method for over half a century, playing a vital role in maintaining our roads. However, a recent in...
- In 2001, Indiana used shredded scrap tires beneath State Road 31; after a year of monitoring, the unusual road fill showed low settlement and minimal internal heatingIn Lakeville, Indiana, a fascinating project incorporated shredded car tires into highway embankments, proving beneficial for waste managem...
- Bend volunteer Brad Pinkert turned a battered ReStore door into a hall tree with a storage trunk and hooks; the finished piece drew the event’s highest bid of $375In Bend, Oregon, a dedicated volunteer took an old door and turned it into a stunning hall tree for a fundraising event. This creative tran...
- In Burgundy, France, 17,000 tonnes of discarded foundry sand went beneath RN 80; two years later, tests found good road strength and no environmental impactIn Burgundy, France, engineers have made strides in sustainable construction by incorporating about 17,000 tons of foundry sand waste into ...
- Bend volunteer Brad Pinkert turned a battered ReStore door into a hall tree with a storage trunk and hooks; the finished piece drew the event’s highest bid of $375In Bend, Oregon, a dedicated volunteer took an old door and turned it into a stunning hall tree for a fundraising event. This creative tran...
- In Burgos, Spain, engineers turned steelmaking waste into full-size pavement slabs; five years outdoors caused no major damage, and skid resistance stayed road-safeIn an innovative endeavor, engineers from Burgos, Spain, developed sustainable pavement utilizing waste from steel production, significantl...
- Don’t ship air: Why metal swarf Is crushed and briquettedMetal swarf is often viewed as mere waste, yet it holds potential for efficient recycling into briquettes for steel production. Based in Or...
- In 1994, Georgia mixed damaged factory roofing shingles into Chatham Parkway asphalt; later checks found the recycled road performing as well as its controlEvery year, millions of tons of asphalt shingles end up in landfills, presenting significant waste management issues. The Georgia Departmen...
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