Why TxDOT Uses Recycled Materials

Working with contractors, the Federal Highway Administration, universities, other state agencies, industry groups, material suppliers, and product vendors, TxDOT identifies and promotes the use of recycled products and materials that have financial or engineering advantages in road construction, such as:

• relieving material shortages where good quality materials are scarce
• reducing purchase and transportation costs
• performing better than traditional materials.

In addition, several state and federal statutes reinforce TxDOT’s interest in using high quality, cost-effective recycled materials and products.

TxDOT FY05 Performance

Materials and Specifications

• Materials – packets summarizing TxDOT’s experience with several materials
• TxDOT Specifications Using Recycled Materials – either call for or allow the use of recycled materials on roadway projects
• Recycled Materials in TxDOT Specifications
• Environmental Guidelines – establish standards and procedures for using recycled materials

• Research – evaluate material properties and performance
• Demonstration Projects – determine materials’ economic, engineering, or environmental benefits

TxDOT Contacts and Related Organizations

• Roadway Recycling Advisors – District and division staff coordinate information on transportation–related recycled materials and products.
• Recycled Materials Suppliers – TxDOT’s interactive mapping system helps users find facilities that generate or process specific recycled materials.
• Public Organizations
• Pavements Recycling – Federal Highway Administration
• Waste Recycling – American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
• Recycling Task Force, AASHTO Subcommittee on Materials
• Green Highways Initiative – sustainable solutions for transportation
• Recycled Materials Resource Center
• Trade Groups
• Construction Materials Recycling Association
• Green Construction – Associated General Contractors (AGC)
• RecyclingRoads.org – Cement Council of Texas

Related Reports and Articles

Annual Scrap Tire Report – Each year, TxDOT and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) cooperatively develop and submit “Progress Reports on Using Scrap Tires and Crumb Rubber in Highway Construction Projects” to Texas legislators.

• January 2006 Scrap Tire Report (view PDF)
• Previous Years' Scrap Tire Reports

Recycled Roadways, Public Roads, January/February 2005, Jason Harrington, FHWA

TxDOT Leads In Recycling And Conservation, Texas Contractor, February 2004, Woody Raine and Anne Russell

Recycle Texas: A Success Story, Focus, April/May 2001, FHWA

Lessons Learned: TxDOT's Efforts to Increase the Use of Recycled Materials, Public Roads, July/August 2000, Rebecca Davio, TxDOT