While we often think of plastics as just being used for food packaging or drink bottles, they actually play an important role in many other industries, like aviation and automotive. One area where plastics are really important, but often overlooked, is in the very ground we walk, run, and drive on. Plastics are essential in infrastructure projects around the world, helping to create more durable roads. Plus, they help keep post-consumer plastics in the circular economy, reducing waste in landfills and protecting the environment.
Communities are already investing in plastic infrastructure
In the United States, many state governments are investing in using plastic to improve existing infrastructure and build stronger roads, highways, and bridges. For example, the Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) is testing a new asphalt mixture made from recycled plastic. This mixture uses low-density polyethylene (LDPE) from food wrappers, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) from shampoo bottles and milk jugs, and polypropylene (PP) from water bottles to pave new roads.
In California, the DOT is trying out a method that incorporates plastic waste into road repaving. This not only strengthens the roads but also recycles 100% of the existing asphalt. This program helps reduce plastic waste and cuts emissions from hauling old asphalt to landfills or other disposal sites.
Another great thing about using plastics in road construction is their versatility. The DOTs in Iowa and Pennsylvania are experimenting with NewRoad, an additive made from mixing recycled industrial plastic and post-consumer plastic bottles, packaging, and bags with asphalt. This makes roads last longer and need less maintenance than regular paved roads. Plus, NewRoad can be added to concrete, creating a new, lighter material that’s 63% lighter than traditional concrete but just as strong.
This new product also saves on labor and shipping costs because the lightweight blocks don’t need adhesive or masonry to shape or place, and they require less fuel to transport. NewRoad is already in use in Minnesota and Florida, reportedly cutting road costs by 30% due to its durability and lower maintenance needs compared to traditional roads.
Efforts like these that create environmentally friendly options for used plastics can help build a more circular economy while improving our roads. With continued support from both industry and government, along with consumers, these projects have the potential to succeed in the future.
Plastics make regional infrastructure adaptable
Plastics are helping to create paving technologies that can adapt to the different needs of communities around the world, taking into account factors like weather, geography, and available public services. For example, in 2015, India began using plastic waste to build roads in cities with over 500,000 people. This approach helps reduce landfill waste and slows the breakdown of materials due to the country’s limited recycling options. Since then, more than 14,000 miles of new roads have been built, resulting in stronger roads that resist surface wear and reduce potholes. Most importantly, recycling plastics into asphalt mixtures instead of burning the waste cuts down on carbon emissions by up to three tons for every kilometer of road built.
In the Netherlands, rising sea levels and frequent flooding cause roads to wear out faster, which means they need repaving more than twice as often as roads in other countries. To tackle this issue, engineers developed a solution called PlasticRoad, made from recycled plastic materials. These prefabricated roads have a hollow design, allowing them to temporarily store rain or floodwater for slow and controlled drainage without damaging the road surface. Plus, these new roads last three times longer than traditional roads and six times longer than older Dutch roads.
Overall, plastics have a unique ability to meet both societal and environmental needs in road construction, while also supporting the circular plastic economy. This makes plastics a smart choice for future projects.
Also Read: 10 Best Plastic Toys for 3-Year-Olds
Plastics build off of current success for future benefits
The plastics industry isn’t just resting on its laurels when it comes to building better infrastructure like roads; it’s constantly coming up with new technologies to help both the environment and consumers. One exciting example is ByFusion Global, a California-based startup that has developed ByBlocks—concrete blocks made from plastics that are often hard to recycle, like bags and food containers. Their “Blockers” machines use force to fuse plastic waste into sturdy construction-grade blocks, similar to standard concrete blocks. The best part? This process doesn’t require sorting or processing the waste, meaning 100% of the plastic goes into making these blocks. This gives post-consumer plastics a new life, even in places that don’t have a lot of recycling resources.
The U.S. Congress is also recognizing the benefits of using plastics in infrastructure. They’ve asked the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study how post-consumer plastics can be repurposed in infrastructure projects. This shows Congress’s belief in the value of current plastic infrastructure projects and the exciting innovations on the horizon. With government backing, existing innovations in plastic roads and other building materials are likely to gain popularity, helping to advance the circular economy while improving our roads.
Overall, plastics are playing a crucial role in current and future infrastructure projects by creating durable, long-lasting roads that reduce carbon emissions through the repurposing of hard-to-recycle plastics. Both industry and government are interested in these technologies, and continued investment in innovation will demonstrate how plastic roads can support communities around the world.
