Recycled asphalt is one option that asphalt contractors can use to install new roads, parking lots, trails, and other pavements. Recycled asphalt pavement (also known as RAP) is made of old asphalt millings that are broken up and mixed with new binders and aggregates. You might have heard that asphalt is the most recycled material in the nation, if not the world. The following questions would be, “What percentage of new roads use recycled asphalt?”

95% of New Pavements Are Made of RAP

According to the National Asphalt Paving Association (NAPA), thelatest survey resulted in a show of 95% new pavements made of recycled asphalt pavement, the highest percentage it has ever been. Is this rise in recycled asphalt pavements a wise choice or a trend with less-than-desirable results?

Advantages of Recycled Asphalt Pavement

Recycled asphalt pavement is advantageous because of how cost-effective it is. It saves all parties millions of dollars. The bulk of asphalt is gravel and sand, natural materials that will never break down. Reusing these enduring materials makes perfect sense. The result is savings in resources and costs.

RAP also works! Clean broken asphalt and thecorrect paving methods will produce a sound pavement that rivals traditional new asphalt. Like new asphalt, RAP has its challenges concerning the paving process, but the result is worthwhile.

RAP is also cheaper than new asphalt paving materials, which helps pavers save even more money.

Potential Drawbacks of RAP

There are some potential problems that RAP can have, namely the following:

• Shorter lifespan: Recycled asphalt might not last as long as new asphalt, breaking down sooner and needingmore frequent repairs.
• Appearance: It’s also possible that RAP pavements won’t have the same pure blacktop look as new pavements.
• Harder to install: RAP could be more difficult to compact or takelonger to cure.

Is RAP Right for Maryland Roads?

A more in-depth understanding of RAP can be gained through Tri-State Paving. Contact us today!

Receive Asphalt Paving Services with Tri-State Paving

Call Tri-State Paving. We’re a seasoned asphalt pavement company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge to help you with asphalt, concrete, and hardscaping projects.

We refuse to sell hot air to our customers, and that’s why we have been around for over 4 decades. We listen, inform, educate then decide what is best for our customers project and budget. If any problems arise during construction we keep our customers updated and respond to make the imperfect perfect.

Our area numbers are:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

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Tags: RAP, recycled asphalt, recycled asphalt pros and cons

This entry was posted on Friday, June 13th, 2025 at 2:56 pm and is filed under Asphalt Paving. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.