Rubbish roads ahead

A NEW waste strategy unveiled by the Government last month could mean that from now on many roads will be made from household waste. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' 'Waste Strategy' requires local authorities to double waste-recycling levels by 2003 and double them again by 2015, so that at least 33% of the nation's waste is recycled.

Aggregate Industries are already leading the way with the development of ASHphalt, a new surfacing material which has received the backing of the Highways Agency.

ASHphalt comprises 30-50% bottom ash from waste-to-energy incinerators and provides a trio of environmental benefits by generating 'green' energy during incineration; reducing the amount of primary aggregate which has to be quarried; and diverting ash which would normally be disposed of in landfill.

Paul Phillips, technical development director at Aggregate Industries, said: 'The Government's plans to force local authorities to reduce the volume of waste to landfill is good news for the environment.

'Incineration reduces waste volume by up to 90%, yet the ash still needs to be disposed of in landfill sites. ASHphalt provides an environmentally beneficial use for this waste material.

'We are continuing to work with local authorities to help the Government to make this waste strategy work, developing technologies which could help to achieve the target of doubling waste-recycling levels by 2003 and redoubling them by 2015.'