AQW 17045/17-22 Written question to the Minister for Infrastructure
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to outline how recycled aggregates are included in construction works undertaken by her Department.
Asked by Andrew Muir MLA on 8 April 2021
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 8 April 2021
- Answer due by
- 23 April 2021
- Answered
- 19 April 202111 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Infrastructure
- Priority question
- No
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.