Use of Waste Plastics in Flexible Pavement

Abstract

Plastic is everywhere in today’s lifestyle and its disposal is a great problem. It is a non-biodegradable product due to which these materials pose environmental pollution and problems like breast cancer, reproductive problems in humans and animals and genital abnormalities. If a ban is put on the use of plastics on emotional grounds, the real cost would be much higher, the inconvenience much more, the chances of damage or contamination much greater. Hence the question is not “plastics vs no plastics” but it is more concerned with the judicious use and re-use of plastic-waste. Both the issues when taken together lead to a single solution that we can use this waste plastic in Flexible Pavements in such a manner that it gets coated over the surface of aggregate by heating (140˚C - 160˚C) because plastics, disposal glasses, handbags, covers of various appliances etc. soften up to 160˚C. The experiments conducted in the laboratory depict helpful results can substantially increase the stability and durability of roads and making it a very effective step towards eco-friendliness compared to conventional and traditional techniques of flexible pavements construction.