AQW 17045/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 08/04/2021
Answered On Date: 19/04/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to outline how recycled aggregates are included in construction works undertaken by her Department.

Answer:

The general approach within the construction industry is to recycle material when possible, rather than sending it to land fill. For example, 40 thousand cubic metres of existing bituminous surfaces were recycled, along with 2 million cubic metres of excavated material, was reused as fill on the A6 Dungiven to Drumahoe Dualling scheme. The use of recycled aggregates is permitted on highway projects provided that they meet the physical and chemical properties set out in Specification for Highway Works in the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works. These requirements are included to ensure that the materials selected for use:

Can effectively perform their intended function, within the structure of the road;

Will not pose an environmental hazard; and

Will not present a significant health and safety risk.

Reuse and recycling of material is also promoted within our internal DfI Roads Environmental Manual.