News release

Unique Recycled Shingle Paving Project Piloted in Nova Scotia

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (Oct. 2007 - Feb. 2021)

Old asphalt shingles are being used by the province to pave a road as part of an innovative recycling pilot project.

The paving project on Mills Drive in Goodwood, Halifax Regional Municipality, will use 20 tonnes of recycled asphalt shingles.

"We pave hundreds of kilometres a year in Nova Scotia, and welcome this opportunity to be a partner in exploring new ways to incorporate more recycling into our work," said Murray Scott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "This pilot project is consistent with our greener approach to infrastructure, including salt management in winter and environmentally sustainable road construction."

Partners in the project include the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, the RRFB Nova Scotia, Halifax C&D Recycling and the Department of Environment.

"Recycling asphalt shingles into pavement is another great example of how Nova Scotians are creating a green economy in this province," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment. "I congratulate Halifax C&D Recycling, the RRFB Nova Scotia and Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal for their work in reducing the amount of garbage that goes to our landfills."

Halifax C&D Recycling has developed a process to separate waste asphalt shingles into two products. One of those products, asphalt grit, can be recycled into pavement. This recycling process is believed to be the only one of its kind in the world.

"RRFB Nova Scotia's value-added manufacturing program challenges entrepreneurs to develop innovative technologies and business models for diverting waste from the province's landfills," said Bill Ring, CEO RRFB Nova Scotia. "Halifax C&D Recycling's asphalt shingle technology helps divert additional material from Nova Scotia's waste sites, offers tremendous business opportunities and is a great example of the value-added success RRFB Nova Scotia is encouraging."

The pilot project will cost around $180,000. RRFB Nova Scotia is funding 40 per cent, businesses along the road are funding 40 per cent and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal is paying the remainder. The department will test and monitor the paving to determine its suitability for other paving projects.