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Eco-Friendly Material to Transform Worcestershire Footways

Environmental Sustainability

Worcestershire County Council, eco-friendly, sustainable, RECOFOAM®

Business Honor
13 November, 2024

Recycled binder material cuts carbon emissions by up to 70%, revolutionizing footway reconstruction across the county.

Worcestershire County Council is taking a significant step toward sustainable infrastructure with the use of RECOFOAM^®, a new eco-friendly binder course material. Manufactured by the county's contractor Ringway, RECOFOAM^® is made from up to 97% recycled materials, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional hot mix asphalt used in footway reconstructions.

The new material has a carbon footprint that is 70% lower than current methods, meaning it saves game-changing carbon emissions for local roadworks and urban planning. "This is a significant step forward in creating more sustainable infrastructure for our region," said Councillor Emma Stokes, cabinet member for the environment at Worcestershire.

RECOFOAM^® is derived from hardcore waste from footway schemes. It is crushed and mixed with foamed bitumen in order to provide a tough and environmental-friendly binder. Already there is clear emissions reduction, but more importantly it avoids the input of any pollutants, such as coal tar-drenched asphalt wastes, into landfills.

In 2023, Ringway produced 8,522 tonnes of RECOFOAM^® for use in footway reconstruction works. This constituted a saving of 144,874 kg COe, equivalent to 74% less than conventional alternatives. Such excellent performance signals that Worcestershire County Council remains determined to reduce environmental impacts. And RECOFOAM^® shall be the standard product used by the council for county footway reconstructions.

The move to incorporate recycled materials in public infrastructure not only supports the council’s sustainability goals but also sets a new benchmark for local government planning and development. By embracing such innovative solutions, Worcestershire is leading the way in reducing carbon footprints and fostering a cleaner, greener environment for future generations.