U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000


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FHWA Recycling Policy

FHWA Recycled Materials Policy

FHWA recognize the need to increase our highway industry's overall use of recycled materials. There are several benefits to recycling:

  • Cost savings potential
  • life cycle cost and engineering performance
  • Reduction in landfill
  • Stewardship of our environment

FHWA's Recycling Policy has several key points:

  • Recycling can offer engineering, economic and environmental benefits.
  • Recycled materials should get first consideration in overall materials selection.
  • Engineering and environmental properties are important.
  • Life Cycle Cost benefits assessment is warranted.
  • Restrictions prohibiting recycled material that are without technical basis should be removed.

The complete FHWA Recycled Materials Policy is available

Asphalt Recycling


Additional Resources

Focus Articles:

Public Roads Articles:

The following articles are from the July/August 2000 Public Roads Magazine.

  • How NCDOT Is Building a Recycling Culture
    by Ashley T. Memory
    The NC Department of Transportation is demonstrating the cultural benefits of recycling to encourage local participation.
  • Lessons Learned: TxDOT's Efforts to Increase the Use of Recycled Materials
    by Rebecca Davio
    The Texas Department of Transportation shares lessons learned from five years of experience with a recycled materials program.
  • National Research Projects on Recycling in Highway Construction
    by Marcia J. Simon, Warren H. Chesner, Taylor Eighmy, and Howard Jongedyk
    The Federal Highway Administration and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program have sponsored several research projects - some ongoing and others recently completed - pertaining to the use of recycled materials in highway construction.
  • The Recycled Materials Resource Center
    by Bryan J. Magee
    This national center was established in 1998 at the University of New Hampshire to promote the appropriate use of recycled materials in the highway environment. RMRC will conduct about 30 research projects over the first six years of operation.

General Recycling Information:

Updated: 05/15/2024
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000