New asphalt may pave way for less waste and fewer emissions

By trialling a new road surface made from waste products, Council has kept more than 6,500 old car tyres out of landfill, recycled more than 10 tonnes of glass, and utilised the toner from over 1 million used printer cartridges.

85 percent of the 2016-17 road resurfacing program received the environmentally-friendly asphalt and spray seal products - that means 27.2kms out of the total of 31.4kms sealed in the financial year.

“We’ve used 235,000 litres of bitumen over 18kms of rural roads incorporating a product with toner from printer cartridges,” Council’s Civil Operations Manager Allan Hull said. 

Council also laid more than 44,500 tonnes of the recycled ‘Noosa Asphalt’ across more than 7,800 metres of road in 2016/17.

Noosa Asphalt is a unique blend that is mixed at lower temperatures than conventional asphalt. As part of the 2016/17 resurfacing program it is reducing Council’s Co2 emissions by 334 tonnes.

A consultant will carry out testing to compare the asphalt against conventional asphalt to confirm its performance over time.

“We’ve used three different asphalt mixes on three different sections of Eenie Creek Road, and we’ll monitor each stretch to see which product performs best,” Mr Hull said.

More than 400 tonnes of reclaimed asphalt were also used in the manufacture of Noosa Asphalt.

“While manufacturing asphalt from reclaimed road material, glass or old car tyres is not new, using multiple recycled ingredients in one product is certainly an innovation – one we are keen to road-test,” Mr Hull said.

“If the product proves to be a success, its continued use will certainly help Council achieve its long-term waste and emission reduction goals.”

18 July 2017