A crazy idea! Use crushed glass as a substitute for crushed rock in the pavement layers of a new road, could it work? Yes, it can and we have a new road to prove it.
Working with Holcim, they now has a new crushed rock product that uses crushed glass and has been approved by VicRoads. The crushed glass mix is durable, stable and an easily workable pavement material at only $1/m extra.
The opportunities this presents for economic development in our local communities, the environment, waste reduction and longevity of our quarries are super exciting.
Unlike other glass industries, the road construction industry can use all types of glass and any colour (not just clear) and has the potential to remove significant quantities of glass from landfill.
There is currently a significant transport cost barrier from this being rolled out across Victoria, with all crushed glass currently beginning delivered to the western suburbs. However, with good public policy and forward-thinking governments (both local and state), this barrier and others can be mitigated.
Quarries in the southeast and Gippsland have the equipment needed to create the product, they may need a change to their license to allow them to bring materials into the quarry, but it can be done.
The Victorian Government is investing $380m to deliver a circular economy and aims to divert 20,000 tonnes of glass from landfill. The roll out of the new purple lidded bins especially for glass is already providing a clean glass resource that does not need to be sorted from other recyclables.
Once the glass is collected from the kerbside, how do we get that glass to the right place to use in our roads? Opportunities for new businesses or for quarries to expand their options on site, provides for more jobs and new industries for local communities.
We know that crushed rock is not a renewable resource, so anything we can do, to reduce our reliance on this resource should be encouraged. Rock quarries are not the most sustainable and environmentally friendly businesses; using recycled glass could make a significant impact to both waste to landfill and quarries.