As parking lots remain a crucial component in our urban infrastructure, the question of their environmental impact and sustainability often arises. When it comes to paving, the popular choice in recent years has been asphalt. This might lead one to wonder, what makes asphalt paving a sustainable choice for parking lots?

Before we delve into the sustainability of asphalt paving, let's understand what asphalt is. It's a mixture of aggregates – like sand, stone, and gravel – bound together by bitumen, a sticky, black, and highly viscous liquid form of petroleum. This combination results in a durable, smooth, and resilient material perfect for parking lots, highways, and runways.

• Recyclability

The most compelling case for asphalt's sustainability is its recyclability. In fact, asphalt is the most recycled material in the United States, even more than paper or plastic. Old asphalt can be ground up and reused in new paving projects without loss of quality, reducing the need for new materials and conserving natural resources.

• Energy Efficiency

The smoothness of asphalt reduces the rolling resistance between tires and pavement, leading to less fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the production of asphalt requires less energy compared to other materials, further reducing its carbon footprint.

• Durability and Longevity

With proper maintenance and regular seal coating, asphalt parking lots can last up to 20 to 30 years. The long lifespan contributes to its sustainability, reducing the frequency of material replacement and the associated environmental impact.

• Heat Island Mitigation

Dark surfaces like asphalt absorb heat and can contribute to urban heat islands. However, recent advancements have led to the development of cool pavements, using lighter-colored binders or reflective coatings that can help mitigate this effect. This contributes to reducing the urban heat island effect and helps lower energy consumption on cooling.

Beyond its sustainability aspects, asphalt has a number of other benefits which make it a great choice for parking lots:

• Cost-effectiveness

The initial costs for asphalt paving are generally lower compared to other materials, and its durability means long-term maintenance costs are also reduced.

• Quick Installation

Asphalt paving is a faster process than using other materials. This quick installation leads to less disruption for businesses and users of the parking lot.

• Versatility

Asphalt can be formulated to withstand a variety of stresses, including heavy loads and different climate conditions, making it versatile for various applications.

• Safety

Asphalt provides excellent skid resistance and offers superior visual distinction for parking lot markings and other signage, enhancing safety for both drivers and pedestrians.

As we move towards a more sustainable future, the asphalt industry continues to innovate. Warm mix asphalt (WMA) is one such innovation. WMA is produced at lower temperatures than traditional asphalt, resulting in lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions during production.

Permeable asphalt is another exciting development. It allows water to drain through the asphalt into a specially prepared gravel layer beneath, reducing runoff and improving water quality.

Asphalt paving offers a blend of flexibility, durability, cost-effectiveness, and most importantly, sustainability. While no solution is perfect, the continual innovations in this field are making asphalt an increasingly green choice for paving parking lots and other surfaces.

When it comes to paving, there are a few alternatives to asphalt, the most notable of which is concrete. Here's a closer look at how they compare:

• Concrete

Concrete is a robust and durable paving material, capable of withstanding heavy loads and extreme weather conditions. However, it has a higher initial cost compared to asphalt. It's also more time-consuming to install and repair, leading to longer downtimes for parking lots.

From a sustainability perspective, the production of cement (a primary ingredient in concrete) is responsible for a significant portion of global CO2 emissions. On the other hand, concrete is recyclable, and newer methods are being developed to reduce its environmental impact.

• Pervious Pavement

Pervious pavements, such as pervious concrete or porous asphalt, allow water to pass through their surface and into the ground beneath. This helps manage stormwater runoff and recharge groundwater levels, which can be particularly useful in urban areas. While these materials can be more sustainable, their durability and maintenance needs can vary and should be considered.

• Gravel

Gravel is a low-cost option and allows water to permeate, reducing stormwater runoff. It can be locally sourced and requires less energy to produce than asphalt or concrete. However, gravel lots need regular maintenance, have a shorter lifespan, and can't provide the same smooth, durable surface as asphalt.

Considering the factors of cost, durability, maintenance, and sustainability, asphalt emerges as a strong contender for most parking lot projects.

Asphalt's high recyclability is one of its most sustainable features. But what does the process of asphalt recycling look like?



• Reclamation: Old asphalt pavement is first removed from the road or parking lot. This process is known as reclamation.
• Crushing and Screening: The reclaimed asphalt is then transported to a recycling facility. Here, it's crushed and screened to the desired size.
• Mixing: The crushed asphalt is mixed with a small amount of new binder to help it stick together. This creates recycled asphalt pavement (RAP).
• Laying and Compacting: RAP can be used just like new asphalt. It's laid down on the road or parking lot and compacted using a roller.

The recycling process gives old asphalt new life, reducing the demand for new materials and the energy used to produce them. It's a closed-loop system that contributes significantly to asphalt's sustainability credentials.

Innovation is the key to increasing sustainability in any industry, and asphalt production is no exception. Here are a few advancements on the horizon:

• Bio-asphalt: Researchers are exploring the possibility of using organic materials as a binder in place of petroleum-based bitumen. These could come from a variety of sources, such as waste from the wood industry or even natural latex.
• Solar Panels: Embedding solar panels in asphalt surfaces is another area of research. These could potentially generate electricity, making parking lots and roads multifunctional.
• Self-healing Asphalt: Some scientists are working on self-healing asphalts that can repair small cracks and holes themselves when exposed to heat. This could significantly increase the lifespan of asphalt surfaces, reducing the need for repairs and replacement.

These advancements showcase the potential for asphalt to become even more sustainable in the future.

The sustainability of a material is about more than just its direct environmental impact. It encompasses recyclability, energy consumption, lifespan, and more. Asphalt, when considered on these terms, proves to be an incredibly sustainable choice for parking lots.

Asphalt parking lots offer a blend of durability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability that is hard to beat. With ongoing advancements, we can look forward to even more sustainable and eco-friendly asphalt solutions in the future.

When it's time to decide on the material for your next parking lot project, remember – asphalt isn't just a practical choice; it's a sustainable one. Moreover, choosing the right service provider to complete the job is equally crucial. For those in Elkhart, TX and surrounding areas, Mullins & Sons Asphalt Paving is a reliable and highly recommended choice. They bring extensive experience, professionalism, and commitment to sustainability in every project they undertake. You can reach out to them at (903) 288-2384 to discuss your needs and explore the best asphalt solutions for your project.

Choose sustainability. Choose quality. Choose Mullins & Sons Asphalt Paving.