The leader of the trade associations that represent 150 million tons a year of asphalt recycling signed a cooperative agreement aimed at doubling the rate of reuse/recycling of asphalt pavements within five years.

Principal signatories to the agreement were the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and the Asphalt Recycling and Reclaiming Association (ARRA). Letters of support were provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). FHWA officials stated that the initiative is in keeping with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s recently unveiled Official Policy on Recycling.

Under the agreement, NAPA and ARRA pledge to support each other’s efforts to deal with common challenges and build on each other’s strengths regarding asphalt recycling issues.

“Asphalt pavement is America’s most recycled material,” said Mike Acott, president of NAPA. “There are more than 18 billion tons of asphalt pavement already in place on the roads, streets, and highways of this country. These same roads that Americans use every day are also a resource that future generations can use. Our goal is to increase the rate of recycling even further.”

“Reclaiming and recycling asphalt roads brings America the best possible pavements while conserving precious natural resources,” said Mike Krissoff, executive director of ARRA. “The members of both ARRA and NAPA are proud of the industry’s long track record of delivering quality and value.