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Tire-Derived Aggregate (TDA) unlocks a wide range of engineering, economic, and environmental benefits. As a lightweight, durable, and cost-effective material, it provides a high-performing alternative to conventional materials such as natural aggregates in civil and environmental infrastructure. For municipalities, design engineers, and constructors, using TDA can lower project and transportation costs, reduce material requirements, improve construction efficiencies, and support long-term sustainability.
Integrating TDA into infrastructure projects also supports Alberta’s circular economy by creating local jobs and diversifying economic opportunities.
TDA is an engineered material made from processing end-of-life tires to a particular specification for use in civil engineering or environmental applications. Its unique properties—including its lightweight, high permeability, and excellent thermal insulation—make it a reliable and versatile choice for a wide range of projects.
Civil and environmental engineering applications that use TDA are diverse. TDA can be used in:
Improve landfill system performance. TDA can be used in various landfill systems, such as a permeable drainage medium in leachate collection systems, gas collection systems, and final cover drainage layers. TDA can also support on-site roadway construction, maintenance, and drainage applications within landfill facilities. Its high permeability and lightweight properties make it a high-performing and cost-effective alternative to conventional aggregate.
Stronger roads start from the ground up. TDA is a lightweight material that reduces loads on underlying soils while improving drainage and helping mitigate freeze–thaw damage. These properties support longer-lasting roadway infrastructure and can lower construction costs while contributing to more resilient and sustainable transportation systems.
TDA can help address common challenges for a range of roadway applications where lightweight fill, drainage performance, and durability are critical.
Watch our presentation on Increasing Adoption of TDA in Alberta's Transportation Infrastructure.
More information on using TDA in roadway infrastructure coming soon.
Improve rail corridor performance. As cities expand their light rail and commuter systems, ground-borne vibration has become a critical design consideration, especially where rail corridors run close to residential neighbourhoods or commercial areas. TDA can serve as an effective vibration mitigation layer, helping transit agencies deliver quieter, more community-friendly rail systems while reducing project costs.
Strengthen unstable slopes. TDA helps stabilize slopes and mitigate landslide risks by lowering loads on weak soils and allowing water to drain freely through the material. Its lightweight structure reduces the driving forces that can trigger slope movement, while its high permeability helps relieve pore water pressure—one of the primary causes of slope instability.
Take the pressure off retaining walls. TDA provides lightweight, free-draining backfill that reduces lateral earth pressures and prevents water buildup behind the structure. By lowering loads and improving drainage, TDA helps enhance stability, limit settlement, and support the long-term performance of retaining walls in applications such as roadways, bridge abutments, and reinforced soil systems.
Protect foundations. TDA can be used behind foundation walls to reduce lateral earth pressures while allowing water to drain away from the structure. By lowering loads on the wall and improving drainage, TDA can help limit settlement and reduce moisture-related issues, supporting the long-term performance of residential, commercial, and public infrastructure foundations.
Move water away from critical infrastructure. TDA provides a highly permeable drainage medium that helps convey water away from structures and soil systems. Its large, interconnected void spaces allow water to flow freely, helping reduce water buildup and relieve pore pressure in drainage layers, trenches, and stormwater systems. These properties support reliable drainage performance in applications such as roadway edge drains, subsurface drainage layers, foundation drainage systems, and other civil infrastructure projects.
Protect water quality. TDA provides a highly permeable medium that helps manage urban runoff and support modern stormwater and Low Impact Development (LID) systems. Its highly permeable structure allows water to flow freely while helping reduce flood risk and limit erosion during storm events. These properties support resilient, low-maintenance stormwater infrastructure in applications such as infiltration systems, drainage layers, and other water management features designed to protect waterways and urban environments. When used as part of engineered stormwater systems, TDA can also support pollutant removal processes within surrounding soil and filtration layers.
Applications continue to expand as contractors, engineers, designers, and architects in both the public and private sectors recognize its engineering properties, performance advantages, cost effectiveness, and environmental benefits.
Using TDA in civil engineering applications can improve performance, reduce costs, and support sustainable design. Benefits include:
Integrating TDA into municipal and commercial construction supports long-term operational and economic value, helping Alberta communities deliver innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable infrastructure.
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has established the Standard Practice for the Use of Scrap Tires in Civil Engineering Applications (D6270). This standard provides guidance for assessing the physical properties, design considerations, construction practices, and leachate generation potential of processed or whole scrap tires as an alternative to conventional civil engineering materials, such as stone, gravel, soil, sand, lightweight aggregate, and other fill materials.
The standard also provides a common technical framework for evaluating and specifying tire-derived materials in engineering projects. By establishing recognized practices and terminology, ASTM D6270 supports consistent design approaches, helps engineers and regulators assess applications more confidently, and promotes the responsible use of tire-derived aggregate in civil and environmental engineering projects.
Learn more about ASTM D6270-25
*Alberta Recycling makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for the information provided in this website. References to individual businesses and their commercial products do not constitute an endorsement by Alberta Recycling. The information contained in this website is not complete, and is provided as a convenience to our website visitors and for informational purposes only.
