This report investigates the use of recycled materials in roads and explores how Standards Australia can assist in overcoming barriers to enable their widespread adoption in road construction. 

Two of the key barriers that Standards Australia can address include: 

1. Inconsistency in local and state specifications and the need for nationally harmonised performance-based standards: Discrepancies in allowable limits of recycled materials can lead to confusion and practical difficulties that cause reluctance in embracing recycled materials in road construction projects. 

2. Lack of guidance and awareness in the use of recycled materials and the enabling standards: Limited education and practical guidance on the use, performance, safety, and durability of recycled materials can contribute to misconceptions among engineers, contractors, and procurement officers. 

Recommendations – at a glance 

Standards Australia, the Australian Government, and key industry expert participants should collaborate to modify existing and/or create new performance-based Australian Standards that harmonise the inconsistencies in existing specifications.  

Standards should: 

• Support the application of recycled content across jurisdictions 
• Be up to date with current waste streams and the types of recycled materials used in roads 

2. Standards Australia, the Australian Government, the construction and recycling sectors, and circular economy leaders must continue to work together to provide practical guidance material for the use of recycled content in roads and the associated enabling standards. 

Guidance materials should: 

• Clearly communicate the benefits and applications of these materials in roads 
• Highlight the enabling standards and relevant use cases that govern the use of recycled materials 
• Provide the necessary knowledge to dispel misconceptions around recycled materials and the associated Australian Standards