KWS asphalted with recycled toilet paper on IJburglaan in Amsterdam
News | Durability
Amsterdam is the first municipality in the Netherlands that processes recycled toilet paper into noise-reducing asphalt. In the road along the IJburglaan, KWS used cellulose from toilet paper that ended up in sewage treatment plants. In the future, several water authorities will supply cellulose to Amsterdam for even more innovative applications.
Reuse toilet paper as a drip inhibitor in asphalt
The cellulose is used as a drip inhibitor in the asphalt. This prevents 'dripping' of bitumen on the gravel, resulting in a better and more sustainable asphalt. Every year 180,000 tons of toilet paper is flushed through the toilet in the Netherlands.That flushes to sewage treatment and is incinerated as waste. Sin, because it contains valuable raw materials such as the cellulose mentioned. This is useful, among other things, when making asphalt, but can also be used for the production of insulating material, biocomposite, plastic frames and façade panels.
With a special technique, this substance is filtered out of the sewage water and reused. Cleaning sewage water costs a lot of money and energy, but through reuse, less energy is needed and less waste needs to be incinerated. The Municipality of Amsterdam aims to achieve 100% circular construction by re-using materials as high-quality and locally as possible and by discovering additions that are part of a circular cycle.
With this innovative step, the municipality of Amsterdam, together with water boards and partners such as KWS, wants to contribute to the future-proofing of a sustainable and high-quality public space. Amsterdam has considerable ambitions in areas such as sustainable building. For example, the city wants to build without emissions of greenhouse gases, air pollution and noise pollution.
Sustainability together
Pepijn Kok, Managing Director of KWS Infra Amsterdam-Heerhugowaard explains: "Together with our clients, KWS is striving for more and more application of sustainable innovations so that we take steps towards sustainability. The 'upgrading' of toilet paper to drip inhibitor for our asphalt is a good example of this. We hope that more clients follow the good example so that we can test more sustainable innovations. "
Amsterdam: circular city
Alderman Marieke van Doorninck (Sustainability): "The importance of circular building is great. I think this is a very good example that symbolizes the circular economy. If we can even recycle toilet paper for new applications, it shows that we no longer have to consider anything as waste and can reuse everything.
kws.nl |
