The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) has released a 12-page sustainability report that shows just how green blacktop is. We’ve shared sustainability information with you in previous blog posts, but today we wanted to show you some official information from NAPA.
Here are a few of the highlights you’ll see within the report:
- Reduce Energy Consumption by Vehicles: Vehicles use 4.5% less fuel when they’re driven on smooth pavement. New asphalt is best, of course, but a properly-paved road will last for a very long time.
- Reduced Emissions from Vehicles: Smooth pavement increases fuel mileage, which means vehicles produce lower emissions.
- Reduce the Price: Recycling existing hardtop means fewer materials are used and fewer man-hours required for hauling new material. Existing material gets crushed and mixed with new aggregate to create new asphalt. This recycling process means cheaper parking lots and roadways, which means your tax money can go to other important areas.
- Reduced Traffic Congestion: Chicago is busy! Traffic is no joke, especially during rush hours and weekends. Recycling the hardtop allows traffic to continue to flow while we’re working; maybe at a reduced rate of speed, but moving nonetheless.
- No Greenhouse Gases: Asphalt pavement does not emit greenhouse gases.
- Aids in Stormwater Management: Asphalt can help restore or improve the hydrology of walking or biking paths, and other areas. It’s used to help drain stormwater from parking lots and roadways.
NAPA also created a tri-fold brochure that you can see online here. This beautifully designed and brightly colored brochure shows you in plain black and white – and green – just how helpful asphalt is to our way of life.
Sustainable Asphalt in Chicago
Asphalt is recycled, which helps further improve sustainability. We recycle as much as possible here at Rapco, and we pass those savings on to you – the taxpayer and the consumer. Give us a call at 847-299-1830 to schedule an appointment with one of our asphalt maintenance specialists.
