The Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) has been awarded a $200,000 Sustainability Victoria grant to trial recycled crushed glass asphalt on local roads.
The grant was issued to ARRB in collaboration with Vic Roads and Brimbank City Council in Melbourne’s west.
According to ARRB project lead Doctor James Grenfell, over 250,000 tonnes of glass is recovered in Victoria every year.
“Using finely crushed glass in road pavement materials has the potential to create viable markets for the vast amounts of glass collected in Victoria, especially that which is low-value and not easily recycled back into other glass products,” Dr Grenfell said.
“ARRB has done significant research in this space – much of which was showcased at its recent Smart Pavements Now masterclass event in Melbourne.”
Dr Grenfell said the trial will specifically look at repurposing low-value glass that is not easily recycled back into other glass products.
“The potential for use of recycled glass in asphalt offers great opportunities for councils, especially in helping deal with Australia’s current recycling issue,” Dr Grenfell said.
“The other exciting aspect is the engagement with a local city council, and to have the ability to monitor a field trial for an extended period of time.”
The ARRB grant is one of nine issued under Sustainability Victoria’s research, development and demonstration grants program.
Sustainability Victoria interim CEO Carl Muller said the grants are designed to support Victoria’s growing circular economy.
“We need proven recycled content products and markets for those products to make recycling viable,” Mr Muller said.
“This will build confidence and market demand.”
The grant proposal was developed by Dr Grenfell and ARRB colleagues Melissa Lyons and Lydia Thomas.
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