Reusing Tar Bound Materials

Sites must take necessary measures to minimise their negative impact on the environment. Contractors should seek methods of reducing waste and re-using materials where possible.

See the examples below for how one road surfacing project achieved this:

• The tarmac roads needing resurfacing across the region had been tested and specialist advice sought to establish which roads contained tar bound materials, which are classified as contaminated and require disposal at specialist waste disposal plants.
• The contractor worked in collaboration with the client and specialist to core test the roads in the region that were programmed for resurfacing and identify those with tar bound material.
• 40 sites were identified and programmed to be completed over a 3-month period.
• A temporary treatment plant was then established on the grounds of a sub-contract haulage company in collaboration with the client, contractor and Environment Agency.
• The plant could treat the tar bound material in such a way to produce cold foamed asphalt that is being re-used on the jobs.
• The environmental benefits are substantial:
  – none of the planning has to be taken to specialist waste plants, saving significant vehicle movement and thus the carbon footprint
  – new material doesn’t need to be purchased and transported
  – 100% re-use is being achieved
  – Environment Agency approved & monitored

This system reduces the environmental cost of disposing of contaminated material and instead finds a way to re-use the material for use in the planned works.