Green thinking is paving its way onto city streets and county roads.

It hasn't always been common practice, but these days more and more companies are seeing the benefits of using recycled materials to pave roads.

In fact, contractors are now required to have an approved quality control plan detailing how recycled asphalt pavement will be reclaimed and reused.

"We are strongly supportive of recycling efforts in our industry," said Tom Peterson, Executive Director of the Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association, a trade group that represents paving companies. "We've partnered with City of Colorado Springs Public Works Department and the El Paso County Department of Transportation to develop new paving standards that allow up to 25 percent recycled materials in the asphalt used with roadway projects. "

Previously, only 10 to 15 percent recycled materials were allowed.

Another international trade group, the Asphalt Pavement Alliance said that while those outside the industry might not be aware of it, the asphalt industry is a national leader in recycling - recycling twice as much asphalt pavement as the amount of all paper, glass, plastic and aluminum combined that is recycled.