Recycled Plastic Lumber (RPL)

The first-ever fiber reinforced, recycled plastic bridge was completed in the fall of 2000. While the Empire State Development Corporation funded the project, the Authority provided engineering expertise for the project. The single-lane span is located in the Town of New Baltimore along the Hudson River Interpretive Trail. The bridge is approximately 11 feet wide with a span of 30 feet, crossing one of the many tidal estuaries of the Hudson River.

The material used in the construction of this bridge represents the effective recycling of almost 70,000 one-gallon milk jugs. Studies show that RPL has a life span of approximately 70-100 years, which is more than two times the life span of a bridge constructed with conventional materials. Chemical tests have also shown that RPL withstands sunlight, will not decay, is not affected by the elements, and requires little maintenance.

The Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation anticipate many future applications of RPL. For example, RPL may be used for salt sheds, sign posts, bridges along the Canalway trail, piers, docks, and rub rails for boats.

Recycling Office Supplies

Authority employees practice recycling at all levels within the organization. Executive Order No. 142 requires New York State agencies and authorities to complete an annual report on waste reduction, recycling and procurement initiatives for recycling purposes. On average, the Authority recycles 2,500 to 3,000 tons of material annually. This material includes paper, cardboard, glass, returnable containers, plastic, batteries, metal, tires, motor oil, yard waste, and office equipment. Moreover, the Authority spends thousands of dollars on products made with recycled materials, including paper, tissues, plastic materials, re-manufactured office equipment, and recycled motor oils. The Save That Office Paper (STOP), program is an excellent example of how Authority/Corporation employees recycle on a daily basis by encouraging employees to utilize the recycling receptacles in offices and lobbies.

Tires

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), New York State generates approximately 15-20 million waste tires annually. Additionally, there are estimated to be more than nine million waste tires already stockpiled across the State. These stockpiled tires cause major environmental problems related to storage and disposal and must be cleaned-up. In accordance with the NYS Waste Tire Management Act of 2003, DEC is developing a program to enhance and develop “environmentally compatible and economically-sustainable markets for waste tires.” The Authority/Corporation is part of the interagency group working to implement the Waste Tire Management Act of 2003. The Authority is planning to incorporate recycled tires in some of its upcoming pavement projects involving highway pavement resurfacing, keeping tens of thousands of tires out of the waste stream. In addition, the Canal Corporation is incorporating recycled tires into future Canalway Trail projects.

In Buffalo, during the reconstruction and widening project between Interchanges 53 and 54 along I-90, a section of the fill for the westbound fourth lane widening was constructed with shredded waste tires. The 200 feet long, 10 feet high tire slope was designed in a partnership with the NYSDOT Geotechnical Engineering Bureau and is estimated to have used nearly 100,000 tires. The photo to the left illustrates the first lift of the tire shred fill, which is then compacted. Tire shred fill is designed to be a lightweight fill and has the added benefit of recycling a waste material.

The NYSTA is partnering with the NYSDOT in the reconstruction of Interchange 17 to construct a direct connection between Interstate 87 and Interstate 84. This project will also provide for relocation of portion of parking lots and internal roadways, which will involve the use of 400,000 recycled tires for backfill along the roadway. (See the discussion under Energy for more information on the other environmental components of this project.) For more information, visit the Interchange 17 project website.

For more information on DEC’s waste tire program, visit:
www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dshm/redrecy/wstires.htm