One area where the crucial role of plastic is often overlooked is the very roadways on which we walk, run and drive. Plastic is a vital part of infrastructure projects worldwide, creating durable roads and keeping post-consumer plastics in the circular economy and out of landfills and the environment.
Communities are already investing in plastic infrastructure
In the United States, many state-level governments are already investing in plastic to build new, more durable roads, highways and bridges. The Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) is piloting a recycled plastic modified asphalt mixture (RPM) that uses post-consumer low density polyethylene (LDPE) from food wrappers, high density polyethylene (HDPE) from shampoo bottles or milk jugs, and polypropylene (PP) from water bottles to pave new roads. Additionally, California is testing a technique that integrates plastic waste into road repaving while recycling 100% of the existing asphalt. This program is decreasing plastic waste and eliminating emissions from the removal and transport of old asphalt.
Another key benefit of plastic road technologies is their versatility. The Departments of Transportation (DOT) in Iowa and Pennsylvania are testing out an additive made from mixing recycled industrial and post-consumer plastic bottles, packaging, bags, and other waste with asphalt, to reinforce roads so they last longer and require less maintenance than standard paved roads. The additive can also be combined with concrete for a new, more affordable material that is 63% lighter than traditional concrete, and just as strong. Already in use in Minnesota and Florida, the additive reportedly lowers road costs by 30%.
Plastics make regional infrastructure adaptable
Plastics also contribute to paving technologies that are adaptable to the varying needs of regions and communities across the globe, including those with varying weather patterns, geographies and existing (or poor) public services. In 2015, India started using plastic waste to construct roads near cities of over 500,000 people as a way to limit landfilling or deterioration of the material due to the country’s limited recycling infrastructure. In the years since, over 14,000 miles of new roads have been installed, and the technology has created better, more durable roads by slowing surface deterioration and limiting potholes. Most importantly, recycling plastics into asphalt mixtures instead of incinerating the waste saves up to three tons of carbon emissions for each kilometer of road created.
In the Netherlands, rising sea levels and frequent flooding cause roads to deteriorate at a faster rate than average. Engineers turned to plastics for a solution using recycled plastic materials. The prefabricated road is hollow, enabling temporary storage of rain or floodwaters for slow and controlled drainage without damaging the road surface. These new roads last three times longer than even traditional roads (and six times longer than previous Dutch roads). Plastic’s ability to address both societal and environmental needs in road production while contributing to the circular plastic economy sets it apart from other building materials, and makes it the smart choice for future projects.
Plastics build off current success for future benefits
The plastics industry is continuously innovating new plastic technologies to benefit both the environment and consumers. A California company has created concrete blocks from plastics such as bags and food containers. Their machines use force to fuse plastic waste together into construction-grade blocks that can be used like standard concrete blocks. Best of all, the manufacturing requires no sorting or processing of the waste and uses 100% of the plastic put into the process.
The U.S. Congress also sees the benefits of plastics in infrastructure and has commissioned a study on post-consumer plastics in infrastructure from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The study’s purpose is to “identify opportunities for repurposing plastics waste in infrastructure,” underscoring Congress’ belief in the benefits of current plastics infrastructure projects, and the promise of innovations to come.
Plastic plays a critical role in existing and future infrastructure projects by creating durable, long-lasting roads that reduce carbon emissions. Continued investments in future innovation will highlight how plastic roads can continue to support communities worldwide.