ISRI Adopts Position Supporting Rubberized Asphalt

At its 2011 Convention and Expo in Los Angles (April 6 to April 10, 2011), the Washington, DC-based Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc., (ISRI), approved a position statement that supports the efforts of federal, state and local governments to use rubberized asphalt in their road construction projects.

Additionally, the position statement encourages rubberized asphalt use as an environmentally friendly way to draw down the nation’s stock of scrap tires currently stored in illegal tire piles across the country. Such tire piles are a contributing factor to the spread of diseases carried by insects. Eliminating this threat to human health and the environment has been a priority of the federal, state and local governments for decades.

“Rubberized asphalt is a proven material that has stood the test of time. It helps ensure scrap tires are recycled in an environmentally responsible manner and can provide enormous benefits for the driving public,” said ISRI President Robin Wiener.

To raise the profile and increase the awareness of the benefits rubberized asphalt, ISRI members voted to support federal, state and local legislation that:

• Releases funds currently allocated to rubberized asphalt projects ahead of other conventional asphalt surface paving projects;
• Seeks to expand the use of rubberized asphalt as the preferred material of choice when evaluating alternatives for a conventional asphalt surface project;
• Requires standards and specifications that would allow rubberized asphalt to be used whenever possible and;
• Seeks to reduce carbon emissions and climate change through the use of rubberized asphalt.

Advancing and promoting the use of this technology would ultimately benefit the public by the construction of safer, smoother and quieter roads, the policy noted.

The long-term cost savings states could realize by utilizing this technology can provide fiscal benefits in terms of lower maintenance costs. Additionally, the ability to ensure scrap tires are utilized in this environmentally friendly manner contributes to a reduction in the production of green house gas emissions.

© Scrap Tire News, May 2011