Australia's first street surface made from 100% recyclable material laid in Adelaide city in 2019

Australia’s first road made completely from recyclable materials was laid in Adelaide city’s centre’s south west in 2019. The new road laid on Chatham Street is made entirely from reclaimed asphalt pavement from nearby streets and recycled vegetable oil from local suppliers. The new street is 25% stronger than standard asphalt and will last longer.

Many councils across Australia have tried asphalt recycling but the City of Adelaide is the first to achieve a 100% recycled road made completely from renewable materials after a push it started in 2018 to align street paving with the city council’s ambitions to become a leading smart, green, liveable and creative city. 

The new Chatham Street surface project was around the same cost as the standard process. The road was delivered in partnership with the Downer Group who process the asphalt at its Wingfield plant with state-of-the-art machinery and careful testing.

The recycled road can reduce CO2 emissions from production by up to 65%, when mixed at a lower temperature (warm mix asphalt), compared to standard asphalt made with virgin materials. Chatham Street wasn’t a one-off exercise.

Little Sturt Street and Little Gilbert Street were next to be resurfaced with different mixes including 63,158 plastic bags, 2,353 glass bottles – plus toner from more than 2,880 cartridges that were originally destined for landfill.