UTILISATION OF PLASTIC WASTE IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Plastic has always been an extremely toxic material with taking 1000 years to decompose in the landfills. The only way to breakdown plastic is through photo degradation and it requires sunlight. Out of the municipal waste generated, plastic constitutes for 12%, which is toxic in nature. A study at Waterloo Collegiate Institute recently demonstrated that certain types of bacteria can break down plastic. Waste plastic can be reused effectively for sustainability and for environment friendly purpose. Plastic waste when added to hot aggregate can form a fine coat of plastic over the aggregate and such aggregate, when mixed with the binder is found to give higher strength, higher resistance to water and better performance over a period of time are the indications of several experimentations at institutes.