How Climate Change Regulation is Reshaping the Road Planings & Aggregates Sector in the UK

As the UK construction industry accelerates its shift toward low-carbon, circular-economy practices, materials that were once considered waste are becoming critical resources. Road planings, reclaimed asphalt and granular material removed during road resurfacing, are a prime example. Once simply disposed of or used in low-value applications, road planings are now increasingly recognised as an environmentally responsible and cost-efficient alternative to virgin aggregate.

With new climate-related regulations, ambitious carbon-reduction targets, and stronger sustainability expectations from both government and private clients, the aggregates sector is undergoing one of its most significant transitions in decades. For contractors, knowing how these shifts affect material choices is essential, not only for compliance, but also for securing competitive advantage.

The Growing Regulatory Push Toward Low-Carbon Materials

The UK government’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is reshaping infrastructure and construction procurement. Regulations and strategic initiatives are driving the industry to adopt recycled, reclaimed, and lower-impact materials. Key influences include:

1. Circular Economy and Waste Framework Regulations

The push to reduce waste, increase recycling rates, and minimise landfill has placed strong emphasis on reclaiming materials such as road planings. Local authorities and contractors are increasingly required to demonstrate responsible waste management and material reuse.

2. National Highways Carbon Requirements

National Highways and major infrastructure clients now require contractors to report and reduce embedded carbon in materials. This is accelerating demand for recycled aggregates and alternative materials that deliver equivalent performance with significantly lower carbon impact.

3. Planning & Procurement Criteria Changing

Tenders increasingly include:

• carbon scoring

• recycled-content targets

• lifecycle and end-of-life considerations

• demonstrable sustainability practices

Using recycled planings helps contractors meet these evolving expectations while remaining cost-competitive.

What Are Road Planings, and Why Are They So Valuable?

Road planings consist of reclaimed asphalt pavement generated when old road surfaces are milled or removed during maintenance and resurfacing works. Instead of disposing of this material, it can be screened, processed, and reused in several high-value applications, including:

• sub-base and fill material

• farm tracks and haul roads

• driveways and car parks

• temporary surfaces

• reinstatement works

• base layers for construction and infrastructure projects

Because road planings retain a proportion of bituminous binder, they offer excellent compaction properties and are highly durable, making them a practical and sustainable replacement for quarried aggregates.

Environmental & Economic Benefits Driving Adoption

Substantial Carbon Reduction

Producing virgin aggregates involves quarrying, blasting, transportation, and processing—all of which carry a significant carbon footprint. Recycled road planings drastically reduce emissions by reusing existing material rather than creating new.

Reduced Waste to Landfill

Recycling planings supports circular-economy principles by keeping thousands of tonnes of material within productive use each year.

Cost-Effective for Contractors and Clients

Road planings are often more economical than virgin aggregate, without compromising performance for many applications. In an industry pressured by rising material costs, this presents a clear commercial benefit.

Availability and Reliability

With continuous road maintenance across the UK, road planings remain a reliable, abundant resource, reducing supply-chain risk and price volatility associated with quarried materials.

Industry Trends Transforming Road Planings Use

Several trends are accelerating the adoption of recycled planings:

1. Carbon Accounting in Infrastructure Projects

Contractors are now expected to quantify and justify their carbon impact, including materials. This makes recycled options increasingly attractive.

2. Digital Tracking of Waste and Recycled Materials

New systems and software allow precise tracking of reclaimed materials, ensuring compliance and boosting confidence in recycled content.

3. Increased Technical Acceptance

Advances in testing, processing, and performance verification have improved confidence in the consistent quality of road planings for a wider range of projects.

4. Growing Client Awareness

From local authorities to large developers, clients are actively requesting sustainable materials, creating stronger demand across the sector.

MAC Group’s Role in Supporting Sustainable Construction

At MAC Group, we supply and deliver high-quality road planings across the UK, helping construction and infrastructure partners reduce carbon output, cut material costs, and meet sustainability goals.

Our service includes:

• reliable delivery using modern bulk haulage and grab hire vehicles

• consistent, quality-controlled planings

• flexible load sizes

• sustainable waste management and recycling practices

• guidance for contractors on the best applications for road planings

With our FORS Silver accreditation and commitment to low-emissions operations, we ensure our services support both environmental and operational excellence.

Looking Ahead: What Comes Next?

Climate policy, sustainability expectations, and technological innovation will continue to reshape the aggregates sector. We expect to see:

• higher recycled-content requirements in public contracts

• more sophisticated carbon-measurement tools

• wider use of road planings in infrastructure projects

• increasing pressure on contractors to demonstrate responsible material sourcing

• innovations in reclaimed asphalt processing and reuse

Contractors who embrace these shifts early will benefit from lower costs, stronger compliance, and improved competitive positioning.

Conclusion

Climate change regulation is no longer a distant concept—it is redefining how construction materials are sourced, assessed, and utilised today. As the UK transitions toward net zero, the use of recycled road planings is moving from a cost-saving measure to an industry expectation.

For contractors aiming to meet rising sustainability standards while maintaining operational efficiency, road planings represent one of the most effective tools available.

To learn more or arrange delivery of recycled road planings for your next project, contact MAC Group today.