America Recycles Day (ARD) was started in November in 1997, but the torch to keep it alive was passed to the Keep America Beautiful organization in 2010. This nationally recognized initiative has long been dedicated to encouraging folks to reduce, reuse, and specifically recycle where possible. KL Engineering has long participated in this effort through our sustainability committee, our work with Sustain Dane, and by using recycled materials on our projects.
Karen Richardson, member of KL Engineering’s Sustainability Committee—affectionately known as “The Green Team” by its members—has been passionate about the environment since she was a young Girl Scout. “I participated in a river clean-up project shortly after the Clean Water Act was passed, and since then I have been really interested in reducing harm to the environment wherever I can.” Karen’s love for the environment is proven by her involvement with not only our sustainability committee, but also Sustain Dane, of which KL Engineering is a member. “Sustain Dane has training I have taken to learn more about recycling. They have some interesting materials that show how Dane County deals with the mixed recycling in Madison.”
She thinks America Recycles day is important to observe because it raises awareness for the recycling we already do in our office, but also how we use recycled materials in our projects. “Most people when they think about recycling, they think about personal choices. But this is an opportunity for awareness of what happens to construction materials when they’ve reached the end of their ‘life.’ In fact, most people might not be aware that the roadway they’re driving on likely includes a portion of recycled materials.”
Recycled materials are incorporated into most roadway construction projects. Asphaltic pavement typically includes 20% or more RAP (Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement), recycled from within the project itself or from previous projects. Concrete pavement on major reconstruction projects is often recycled into base course, saving time, money, and virgin resources.
On the USH 53 project in Barron/Washburn County lead by KL’s John Mueller, the contractor utilized up to 3 track crushing operations (see photos). This saved a tremendous amount of trucking and equipment effort, while providing an efficient operation that met all of the specified material requirements. Seeing this process in action is an inspiring example of the small steps we take to make the world a better place through recycling project materials every day and on every project, but especially on days like #AmericaRecyclesDay.
In Wisconsin, recyclable materials are banned from landfills. For a handy reference flyer, check out this comprehensive list of materials banned from Wisconsin landfills and incinerators. https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/doclink/waext/wa1574.pdf
