Le Lézard
Classified in: Environment, Transportation
Subjects: SVY, RCY, ENI

New Study Finds Many Municipalities in Ontario Performing Poorly in Recycling Concrete and Asphalt


"Laggards" Identified, Urged to Improve

TORONTO, Oct. 18, 2018 /CNW/ - A new study released today finds that many municipalities in Ontario have policies that prohibit or severely limit the use of recycled asphalt and concrete in road construction and other public works.

Policies & Practices on Use of Recycled Aggregate Municipal Rankings (CNW Group/Toronto and Area Road Builders Association)

The result? Every year, millions of tonnes of this material, which could be reused in municipal infrastructure projects, are instead being stockpiled in mountains of urban rubble or dumped in landfill.

"And that's a terrible waste of a valuable resource," says Rob Bradford, Executive Director of the Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA).

Municipalities with low rates of concrete and asphalt recycling are also forfeiting opportunities to help the environment by: lowering fuel consumption and greenhouse gases associated with trucking new aggregate, diverting used aggregate from the waste stream, lessening the impact of quarry operations, and building more sustainable infrastructure.

Voters are being urged to raise this issue with the candidates in the upcoming municipal elections, and to demand their local and regional representatives take action.

The independent research, commissioned by TARBA, identifies the municipalities which are the worst performers in recycling aggregate. These "Laggards" are: Mississauga (at the bottom of the list with a score of 4 out of 100), Oshawa (10), Peel Region (14), Durham Region (20), Niagara Region (32), Halton Region (34), Brampton (38), Windsor (40), and Kingston (40).

The municipalities in the middle of the pack are: Burlington (44), Waterloo (46), Barrie (46), and Hamilton (48).

Those ranked as the "Leaders" are: Ottawa (54), York Region (56), London (58), Kitchener (58), Markham (64), Cambridge (72), and at the top of the list, Toronto (76).

While there is room for improvement even among the "Leaders", the municipalities in the "Middle Group" and especially the "Laggards" need to change their policies and tendering specifications so they support ? rather than hamper ? aggregate recycling.

"They should be doing a much better job, a much greener job, of recycling asphalt and concrete," says Bradford. "They need to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem."

Only about 7% of the aggregate needed in Ontario now comes from recycled sources. In contrast, some European countries use up to 20% recycled aggregate. Ontario's Ministry of Transportation also uses about 20% recycled materials in its highway construction.

The research examines the aggregate recycling policies and practices of five regional and 15 single or lower-tier municipalities in Ontario. The study was conducted in July and August, 2018.

"Residents have a right to know whether their municipality is doing a good job ? or not ? of recycling asphalt and concrete," says Bradford. The municipalities which declined to respond to the survey were: Guelph, Vaughan, Oakville, Brantford and Oshawa. (TARBA was able to obtain data on Oshawa from other sources.) Waterloo Region provided only partial data.

TARBA has joined with other industry groups to launch a campaign to raise public awareness of this issue. The supporting organizations include: the Heavy Construction Association of Toronto (HCAT), Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association (GTSWCA), Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA), and Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO).

The group plans to continue to monitor the municipalities and make similar reports in the future. "It is our hope that public awareness of this issue will bring about positive change and improved aggregate recycling in the years ahead," says Bradford.

Go to www.tarba.org for additional information, including: the full research report, a new video, photo gallery, b-roll footage, backgrounders, and an FAQ. Check us out on Twitter and Facebook.

Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (CNW Group/Toronto and Area Road Builders Association)

SOURCE Toronto and Area Road Builders Association


These press releases may also interest you

at 09:15
101 Mobility® is thrilled to announce the opening of its newest location in Eden Prairie, marking the introduction of the city's first nationally branded full-service provider of a wide range of mobility equipment. This includes stair lifts, ramps,...

at 09:13
The trucking industry says new emission standards for heavy-duty trucks announced today by the Biden Administration have unachievable targets and will carry real consequences for the U.S. supply chain and movement of freight throughout the economy....

at 08:55
Shield AI, Inc., a defense technology company building the world's best AI pilot, and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. , a Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets and an industry-leading provider of...

at 08:47
Kunes Auto & RV Group, a Midwest automotive group, is continuing its company growth with the opening of its new store in Beloit, Rock County, Wisconsin. Purchased from Finley GMC, the new automotive store will operate as Kunes GMC of Beloit starting...

at 08:32
XCMG Machinery (SHE:000425, "XCMG") is proud to announce its recent triumph at the 2024 German Design Awards, where it has been awarded the Excellent Communications Design in Integrated Campaigns and Advertising for its innovative "Cultural Gift"...

at 08:30
Asahi Kasei Plastics North America Inc (APNA), manufacturer of Asaclean and a leading supplier of purging compounds for the plastics industry, has announced a new partnership with renowned plastics distributor, Polysource. This exclusive distribution...



News published on and distributed by: