Embracing Sustainability in Asphalt: More Than Just Cost Addition
Contrary to common belief, sustainability in the asphalt industry isn’t merely an added expense. Benjamin Dierker, Executive Director of the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure, clarifies that contemporary sustainable infrastructure innovations often center on integrating cost-saving elements within the business model. Utilizing recycled materials, for instance, not only reduces initial expenses but also mitigates long-term supply chain risks, ensuring a more stable and cost-effective material supply for future needs.
“Many people erroneously think of sustainability initiatives as additive costs or additional layers to their existing business model to clean up externalities and reduce environmental impact. There are instances where that is true, but it does not define the movement as a whole,” said Dierker. “By contrast, many of the latest innovations in sustainable infrastructure are focused on cost-savings in the business model itself.”
LEED Certification: Steering Towards Eco-friendly Paving
According to Farhan Siraj, CEO of OSHA Outreach Courses, the importance of LEED certification in paving cannot be overstated.
“LEED provides an excellent framework for using sustainable materials in construction, and paving products are no exception. LEED-certified paving projects reduce heat island effects and manage stormwater with incredible efficiency,” said Siraj. “Meanwhile, work is being done on eco-friendly paving solutions such as permeable pavements and there’s also a renewed emphasis on using recycled material. All this is thanks to LEED, which has pushed construction companies and contractors toward sustainable solutions.”
Siraj provides workplace safety compliance training to construction workers and keeps up to date on compliance requirements and industry-related certifications in the construction sector. Specifically, he said the LEED certification has been instrumental in propelling the construction industry towards eco-friendly solutions.
Transforming the Asphalt Industry: A Case Study in San Antonio
San Antonio is now the first city in the U.S. and the world to use carbon-sequestered asphalt on public roads. This innovative approach, spearheaded by Modern Hydrogen, involves stripping carbon from natural gas and incorporating it into asphalt. This method not only captures carbon but also reduces the need for oil in asphalt production, thereby lowering both the embodied CO2 and the overall cost of the material.
Bexar County’s Department of Public Works, under the direction of Bexar County Department of Public Works Director Tony Vasquez, led this crucial step in demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of carbon-sequestered asphalt. By addressing both environmental concerns and infrastructural resilience, particularly in the face of climate change, this initiative sets a precedent for future infrastructure projects across the nation.
The deployment in San Antonio exemplifies the possibilities of sustainable, cost-effective asphalt solutions. Modern Hydrogen, the Seattle-based company that makes Modern Asphalt, along with Road Recyclers CEO Shane McDade and Bexar County’s Department of Public Works, are paving the way for a future where road construction not only meets and exceeds the highest standards of performance but also inspires innovation with the pressing need for environmental sustainability becoming clearer every day.