Last month, contractor completed the work on the Kompasweg. The pavements have been renovated in a circular way and extra space has been created for greenery. Thanks to this approach, more than 50% CO2 has been saved and approximately 50% extra greening has been achieved. This pilot project is therefore a successful start of sustainable cooperation.
Sustainability in practice
The changes that are needed to better adapt to the changing climate also offer opportunities to be sustainable in other ways. This can be done by taking nature into account more, switching to sustainable energy and reusing more materials. The aim of the pilot project on the Kompasweg was to carry out maintenance on the street in a sustainable and climate-proof way and thus improve the living environment for the future.
Sustainable maintenance of pavements
Instead of the traditional replacement of pavement tiles with new ones, the existing tiles have been reused. The old tiles were carefully removed, cleaned and then provided with a biodegradable bio-based coating. This innovative coating contributes to the circular economy, because the main components do not come from fossil oil, but are extracted from residual and waste flows of natural materials.
This method significantly extends the lifespan of the paving. Normally, a street requires major maintenance after 20 years, but thanks to cleaning and coating, the tiles are expected to last three maintenance rounds. This means that the tiles will have a lifespan of no less than 60 years. The reuse of tiles not only leads to a longer lifespan, but also saves energy and material costs.
Electric tools for less nuisance
A conscious choice was made to work sustainably when implementing the project. The pavers used electric tools as much as possible instead of traditional diesel-powered machines. This not only had advantages for the environment, but also for the working conditions of the staff. In addition, this approach resulted in less noise pollution and emissions, which improved the quality of life for local residents.
With the circular renovation of the Kompasweg, Alkmaar shows how sustainable street maintenance can be put into practice. This pilot project offers valuable insights for future projects and contributes to a climate-proof, environmentally friendly city.
Coatings and cleaners that can be used on similar projects
