USE OF NON-BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS IN

FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT CONSTRUCTION

ABSTRACT

Nowadays plastic waste consisting of wrappers of junk foods, chocolates, chips, hand
carry bags, plastic bottles and all other forms of plastic are mainly responsible for
creating significant environmental and critical economic problems. Massive amount of
energy and other natural resources are utilized during the production of plastics
depleting the environment in various ways. Polymer addition in asphalt for pavement
construction enhances the life and structure of road. Asphalt properties are made better
with addition of polymer particularly in the form of low- density plastics. The term
Plastic Road is used for the roads constructed with plastic waste and these roads are
known to have better durability and performance as compared to conventional roads.
Further it has been discovered that such streets were not subjected frequent structural
failures as compared to the traditional pavements. According to research, the utilization
of higher level of plastic waste diminishes the need of bitumen by 10%. It enhances the
quality and material strength of the pavement. Structural strength and durability of
flexible pavement can also be enhanced by polymer addition in asphalt. Plastic waste
replaces 10% to 15% of bitumen approximately and also saves around an amount of
about Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 80,000 for each kilometre of a road patch during flexible
pavement construction.