Canary Islands test greener materials to build roads to cut waste and emissions
The Canary Islands Government is trialling new, more sustainable materials for building roads as part of its “Masca” project, aimed at reducing waste, lowering emissions, and cutting costs across the islands.
Led by the Department of Public Works, the initiative focuses on tackling key challenges in the Canaries, including limited natural resources, reliance on imported materials, and growing waste management pressures.
The project is built around three main innovations:
The first uses recycled rubber from old tyres in asphalt, helping to deal with thousands of tonnes of waste while improving road durability and reducing noise. Roads made with this material could cut environmental impact by up to 60%.
The second involves “warm mix” asphalt, which is produced at lower temperatures, reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
The third uses reclaimed asphalt from old roads, allowing materials to be reused and reducing the need for new raw resources.
Initial studies, carried out with the University of La Laguna, show the approach is both environmentally and economically viable. The next step is to test the materials in labs and real-world conditions before introducing them more widely in public road projects.
Officials say the Masca project could play a key role in helping the Canary Islands move towards greener, more efficient infrastructure without compromising on quality.
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