Asphalt Industry, America's Top Recycler

Mercer Fraser Co., a construction materials producer and heavy civil contractor, is headquartered in Fortuna, California, serving the surrounding communities. Mercer Fraser Co. maintains associations with many organizations, including Shasta Builder's Exchange, the California Asphalt Pavement Association, and the National Asphalt Pavement Association.

The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) supports and advocates for the asphalt pavement industry on a national level. NAPA carries out its mission in a variety of ways. The organization supports the industry through offering education, advice, and peer engagement to companies as well as advocates by engaging and collaborating with decision-makers such as Congress.

One of NAPA’s goals is to advance the asphalt pavement industry by engaging in research and innovation, and promoting safe and environmentally sustainable operations. The industry, according to a recent survey in 2019, produces materials that are America’s most recycled product. In fact, 97 million tons of reclaimed asphalt pavements were recovered for future use. To this, NAPA’s Chairman responded, “NAPA [is] committed to building and maintaining our country’s infrastructure [through] recycling, sustainability, and concern for our environment.” 

Published: Mercer Fraser Looks Back on 150 Years of Work in Humboldt County

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Published: The Process of Asphalt Paving

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The Use of Recycled Materials in Road Construction

For more than a century, Mercer Fraser Co. has completed vital infrastructure projects, such as roads and highways, in California. Mercer Fraser Co. also produces construction materials, including recycled materials.

Recycled materials include recycled concrete aggregates, plastic waste, mine waste, recycled asphalt shingles, crushed glass, steel slags, old tires, and coal combustion output. These materials are at different stages in their use for road construction, with research still ongoing. They also have different purposes due to their inherent properties.

One advantage of their use is environmental improvement due to lesser quantities of waste materials going to landfills. They also are cheaper than using asphalt alone, in many situations.

Some of these recycled materials provide more durability than conventional roads. Some materials also withstand wear and tear much better than traditional road projects due to their water-resistant qualities. Water-resistance prevents cracks and potholes from developing, which makes maintenance costs lower than the costs of conventional roads.

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Building With Recycled Materials

Mercer-Fraser Co. specializes in construction and mining. One of the oldest construction companies founded in 1870, they perform a wide range of civil constructions such as bridges, roads, and highways. Mercer-Fraser Co. also produces essential construction materials for infrastructure projects, such as asphalt concrete, aggregate, ready-mix, and recycled materials.

Environmental-friendly homes are becoming sought after properties among homeowners. One of the ways that civil engineers and other construction workers build environmental-friendly houses is by using recycled products during the construction process. Below are four popular construction materials that can be recycled:

1. Steel - most steel construction materials are recycled and have various benefits ranging from pest resistance to being devoid of toxic chemicals, features that most treated wooden building materials can't match.

2. Cork - a common wine bottle seal, corks can be recycled and used for floor decoration and flooring. They are also useful while working ceiling panels.

3. Newspapers - gluing newspapers together creates a wood grain texture employed in constructing various pieces that could serve as interior decorating items.

3. Bottle bricks - These bottles are typically filled with plastics, non-organic materials, or compacted sand. Using bottles as construction material began with the founder of Heineken beer, Alfred Henry Heineken, in the 1960s. Presently, most local companies produce bottles in cuboid shape specifically for this purpose.