Recycled Roads to Zero Waste

Business Case

Background• High % of waste starts with households and Councils collect it• Quarry resources are finite and running out in many areas• 2010-2012

– increasing VicRoads activity in using recycled materials in pavements: new standards (15-30% glass/brick)

– increasing LG activity (4 mt pa G/B/C; Accord)– Governance Group > VR, SV, MAV, Eco-Buy, Swinburne, PSF, Councils– Specification testing (15% & 30%), workshops– Demonstration Trials:

• Manningham (255m footpath, 22 tonnes glass @ 20%)• Port Phillip (100m footpath @30% glass)• Brimbank (375m road, 155 tonnes glass @15%)• Surf Coast (800m road, 900 tonnes recycled concrete)• Bayside

Bayside City Council

Recycled Roads to Zero Waste

2010/2011 Capital Works Program

• $ 1.3M Residential Concrete Footpath Reconstruction Program

• $ 600,000 Residential Asphalt Footpath Reconstruction Program

• $ 550,000 Road Reconstruction Program• $ 400,000 Shopping Centre Footpath Reconstruction

projects

Footpath trial – Ludstone Street, Hampton

• Project completed in April 2011• 100m of concrete footpath

reconstruction• 30% of <5mm diameter glass

blend in Class 3 crushed concrete base

• 7.6 tonnes of non-recyclable glass

• Compacted very well under standard plate compaction

Road reconstruction trial – Tramway Parade, Beaumaris

• Project in construction, programmed for completion mid June 2011

• Project cost $355,000• 270m length of road of which 36% was

full depth pavement reconstruction • 15% of <5mm diameter glass blend in

Class 3 crushed concrete sub-base• 41 tonnes of non-recyclable glass• Easily placed and specified compaction

achieved as if using Class 3 crushed rock or concrete

• High consistency in mix

Bayside ObservationsPerformance during construction

• Easy to place and compact, high compaction achieved with standard processes

• No noticeable difference in appearance (particularly road)• Contractors commented no issues with using this material

Long term performance

• Projects recently undertaken, long term durability and serviceability of pavement to be monitored and assessed

Bayside Future plans

• Trials were considered successful during construction• Long term performance to be assessed with review of other trial

projects• Propose to use in future projects, pending costing and review of

completed trial projects

What next?• 2012: asked Councils to commit: low response– multi-functional: engineering, works, procurement,

contracts (and contractor choice)– senior management not involved– timing issues

• 2013: survey of 30 Councils– 97% use recycled if no cost difference and supply OK– New procurement guidelines evolving: VR/sustainability– Business case would be advantageous

Business case• Reports of 70% increase in price of quarry

materials in Sydney: sourced from 200km • Project Group: Sustainability Victoria

(funding), MAV, VicRoads (netbalance)• Report: ‘Recycled materials in pavement

construction’

‘Recycled materials in pavement construction’

Key points• Growing development threat to virgin supplies: over

time will become more difficult to obtain• Recycled materials perform as well as virgin materials• Recycled materials can be cost competitive • Proximity to recycled source is key determinant– (up to 45km better; up to 85 km competitive)

• Significant regional differences (see maps)• VicRoads specifications are very important

‘Recycled materials in pavement construction’

Benefits of using recycled materials• Reduced impact on the environment• Reduced waste to landfill• Reduced energy to produce pavement materials• Reduced land use conflict• Improved security of supply• Reduce risk to Council• Recycled materials can be cheaper

‘Recycled materials in pavement construction’

Recommendations for Councils:• Commit to use of recycled material which meets

specifications and cost (Council choice)• Identify current availability of recycled material

and potential barriers in your Council • Require contractors to report on their use of RM• Develop a strategy to increase use of recycled

content: discuss with contractors• Include VicRoads spec 820 and 821 for road design

Choice

• Option to use recycled materials OR • Where there is supply at cost competitive

rates, Council preference is for recycled materials in blends of 15%-30%

Next steps• May 2014: MAV presentations to regional

meetings of CEOs and Mayors. Seek support for:– LG strategic direction: increased use (preference)– VicRoads future direction – Good practice policy and contract management

guidelines (give preference)– Local recycling to be maximised (work with local

WMG)– Inclusion in Council plans