(SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) approved a new highway specification allowing crushed glass to be recycled into the gravel used to strengthen roads. The new specification, initiated by Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling (ALPAR) and ADOT&PF’s Materials Engineer Committee, focused on identifying how to process household waste glass into a durable and long lasting construction material.  

“ADOT&PF’s new specification for using crushed container glass as a construction aggregate will help foster changes to the way we think about and use recycled products across Alaska," ALPAR Executive Director Mary Fisher said. "It will help spur local manufacturing of more green products, create jobs and reduce landfill waste."

The use of crushed glass may decrease the amount of glass placed into landfills, while reducing ADOT&PF's need for rock and gravel used to strengthen highway and airport subsurface. The recycled glass will be placed in the base of construction projects and will not be exposed.

“ADOT&PF recognizes the value of reducing the amount of waste in landfills,” Pat Kemp, ADOT&PF acting commissioner, said. "We know that recycled products specifically processed and manufactured for construction work will not affect long term performance."

Types of glass products that can be recycled in construction projects include food and beverage containers, some dishes and glass from building windows. The recycling process will turn the recycled glass into a useable product that looks like shiny pea gravel and feels like worn beach glass.

The public can drop off empty, rinsed glass bottled and jars at the Anchorage Recycling Center at 6161 Rosewood Street, off Dowling Road. No other centers around the state have been announced by the department. Currently glass can be deposited at the Ketchikan Landfill for recycling.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 255 airports, 11 ferries serving 35 communities, 5,619 miles of highway and 720 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska.

Source of News: 

Alaska Department of Transportation
www.dot.state.ak.us

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