Specifications Using Recycled Materials by Application

TxDOT has eliminated unnecessary requirements for virgin materials in its construction and maintenance specifications. Additionally, we have approved specifications that specifically call for or allow for the use of recycled materials. Some specifications require their use, while others allow their use if noted in the plans. Please note, this document is provided for information only and is not to be used for bidding or contract purposes.

Specifications using Recycled Materials can also be viewed by Materials. All use 2004 Standard Specifications unless noted. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Acronyms

  • RAP - Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement
  • SCM - Supplementary Cementing Material

Earthwork

SPECIFICATION RECYCLED MATERIALS APPLICATIONS
Embankment Granular materials (such as crushed concrete, glass cullet, RAP) Form a stable embankment
Compost Leaves, yard trimmings, biosolids, food scraps, food-processing residuals, manure or other agricultural residuals, forest residues, bark, and paper Establish vegetation, control erosion (See compost producer list and DMS-6360 Compost)
Seeding For Erosion Control Cellulose Mulch
Landscape Establishment Loose organic materials such as wood chips or shredded bark Mulch

Sub-base and Base Courses

SPECIFICATION RECYCLED MATERIALS APPLICATIONS
Flexible Base Crushed concrete, RAP, or other (such as glass cullet) Coarse aggregate
Lime Treatment (Road-Mixed)
Lime Treatment (Plant-Mixed)
Fly Ash Or Lime-Fly Ash Treatment (Road-Mixed)
Fly ash Subgrade or base stabilizer
Cement Treatment (Road-Mixed) Crushed concrete, RAP, or other (such as glass cullet) Coarse aggregate
Cement Treatment (Plant-Mixed)
Asphalt Treatment (Plant-Mixed)

Surface Courses or Pavement

SPECIFICATION RECYCLED MATERIALS APPLICATIONS
Asphalts, Oils and Emulsions Tire rubber Asphalt modifier for pavements
Asphalt modifier for crack sealer (see material producer list)
Aggregates For Surface Treatments Crushed slag, glass cullet Coarse aggregate
Surface Treatments Tire rubber Asphalt modifier
Hot Asphalt-Rubber Surface Treatments Tire rubber Asphalt modifier
Hot-Mix Cold-Laid Asphalt Concrete Pavement Fly ash Mineral filler
Dense-Graded Hot-Mix Asphalt (Method) Fly ash Mineral filler
RAP Coarse aggregate
Dense-Graded Hot-Mix Asphalt (QC/QA) Fly ash Mineral filler
RAP Coarse aggregate
Permeable Friction Course (PFC) Cellulose or mineral fiber Fiber additive
Tire rubber Asphalt modifier
Performance-Designed Mixtures Fly ash Mineral filler
RAP coarse aggregate  
Stone-Matrix Asphalt Cellulose or mineral fiber Fiber additive
Fly ash Mineral filler
Manufactured sand Fine aggregate
RAP Coarse aggregate
Tire rubber Asphalt modifier
Asphalt Concrete Surface Rehabilitation Asphalt pavement, in place Pavement
Concrete Pavement Same as Hydraulic Cement Concrete for nonstructural concrete Aggregates and SCMs
Full-Depth Repair of Concrete Pavement Same as Hydraulic Cement Concrete for nonstructural concrete Aggregates and SCMs
Concrete Pavement Terminals Same as Hydraulic Cement Concrete for nonstructural concrete Aggregates and SCMs

Structures

SPECIFICATION RECYCLED MATERIALS APPLICATIONS
Excavation and Backfill for Structures Same as Hydraulic Cement Concrete for nonstructural concrete, glass cullet, foundry sand Aggregates and SCMs
Flowable Backfill Fly ash Mineral fiber
Foundry sand Fine aggregate
Hydraulic Cement Concrete Crushed blast furnace slag, crushed concrete (in nonstructural concrete only) Coarse aggregate
Fly ash, ground granulated blast-furnace slag, silica fume SCMs
Manufactured sands Fine aggregate
Retaining Walls Glass cullet Aggregate
Riprap Aggregates and SCMs
Reinforcing Steel Steel Reinforcement
Steel Structures Steel Structures
Metal for Structures Steel, iron, aluminum structural members, castings, extrusions, forgings
Manholes and Inlets Aggregates and SCMs
Steel, iron, aluminum Structural members, castings

Incidental Construction

SPECIFICATION RECYCLED MATERIALS APPLICATIONS
Colored Textured Concrete and Landscape Pavers Nonstructural concrete Aggregates and SCMs
Concrete Curb, Gutter, and Combined Curb and Gutter Aggregates and SCMs
Intersections, Driveways, and Turnouts Same as Flexible Base
Same as Hydraulic Cement Concrete for nonstructural concrete Aggregates and SCMs
Sidewalks Same as Hydraulic Cement Concrete for nonstructural concrete Aggregates and SCMs
Concrete Medians and Directional Islands Same as Hydraulic Cement Concrete for nonstructural concrete Aggregates and SCMs
Right of Way Markers Same as Hydraulic Cement Concrete for nonstructural concrete Aggregates and SCMs
Metal Beam Guard Fence Plastic, tire rubber Blocks
Same as Hydraulic Cement Concrete for nonstructural concrete Aggregates and SCMs
Chain Link Fence Same as Hydraulic Cement Concrete for nonstructural concrete Aggregates and SCMs

Lighting and Signing

SPECIFICATION RECYCLED MATERIALS APPLICATIONS
Small Roadside Sign Supports and Assemblies Same as Hydraulic Cement Concrete for nonstructural concrete Aggregates and SCMs
Aluminum signs Aluminum Sign blanks
Foundations for Traffic Control Devices Same as Hydraulic Cement Concrete for nonstructural concrete Aggregates and SCMs
Maintenance of Traffic Signals Aluminum Sign blanks

Maintenance

SPECIFICATION RECYCLED MATERIALS APPLICATIONS
Landscape Maintenance Loose organic materials such as wood chips or shredded bark Mulch
Guard Fence Repair Plastic, tire rubber Blocks

Departmental Material Specifications

SPECIFICATION RECYCLED MATERIALS APPLICATIONS
Jiggle Bar Tile Tire rubber Filler for jiggle bar tile (see material producer list)
Flexible Delineator and Object Marker Posts (Drivable and Surface-Mount Types) Plastic Posts (see material producer list)
Tire rubber
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Sign Supports Plastic Sign supports
Fly Ash for Soil Treatment Fly ash Soil treatment
Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag Ground granulated blast-furnace slag Supplementary cementing material (see material producer list)
Composite Material Posts and Blocks for Metal Beam Guard Fence Plastic, tire rubber Blocks (see material producer list)
Joint Sealants and Fillers Tire rubber Joint sealants
Hot Applied Thermoplastic Glass Reflectivity
Glass Traffic Beads Glass Reflectivity
Fly Ash Fly ash Pozzolan, soil treatment or stabilizer, SCM
Guidelines for Evaluating and Using Nonhazardous Recyclable Materials (NRMs) in TxDOT Projects All non-hazardous recyclable materials Environmental standards for NRMs used for any application

1993 and 1995 Standard Specifications

SPECIFICATIONS  RECYCLED MATERIALS APPLICATIONS
1993 Special Specification 3157. Cold Processed - Recycled Paving Material for Use as Aggregate Base Course - Statewide Use Crushed concrete or other non-hazardous recycled materials, processed recycled asphalt pavements, bottom ash, foundry slag, glass, recycled crumb rubber Coarse aggregate
Fly ash, bottom ash Pozzolans to improve mixing and workability
1995 Special Specification 3028. Hot Mix Asphaltic Concrete Pavement Containing Reclaimed Roofing Shingles - For project 0162-04-039 in Navarro County. One-Time Use Roofing shingles Aggregate
1995 Special Specification 5160. Tire for Use in Embankment - For project 2552-01-025 in El Paso County. One-Time Use Tire chips or shreds Fill material