Quebec researchers to test recycled glass in roads
by Cleantech Canada Staff
$450,000 in funding aims to integrate recyclables into city streets
MONTREAL—Researcher’s at Quebec’s École de technologie supérieure are looking to improve the province’s streets and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by raiding Quebecers’ recycling bins.
The engineering school, Société des alcools du Québec, Éco Entreprises Québec and RECYC-QUÉBEC have agreed to partner on a $450,000, three-year project that will support research on integrating recycled glass in road construction. Transports Québec has also voiced its support for the project, while the City of Montreal has agreed to provide test slabs that will allow the researchers to evaluate the performance of the glass-asphalt mixes.
“Integrating glass in road component manufacturing is a concrete solution towards lowering GHG emissions and adapting our actions to the impact transportation has on climate change,” Robert Poëti, Quebec’s Minister of Transport, said. “That is why I am supporting this innovative and distinctive Québec project. We are proud to encourage green innovation in transportation.”
The project’s research team, consisting of ETS professors Michel Vaillancourt, Alan Carter and Daniel Perraton, will investigate how post-consumer glass components affect the performance of asphalt mixes and other materials used in road construction in hopes of integrating the material.
ETS said the research team expects the glass will improve on the drainage and insulation qualities of asphalt, boosting roads’ lifespans. In addition, the team thinks the material will help reduce GHG emissions generated during asphalt manufacturing.
