Road-users in Goa have been driving on roads filled with pot-holes for far too long, even leading to several accidents. In this respect it is pertinent to note that the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) in Haryana reportedly plans to use plastic waste in road construction. The roads will contain at least 8% plastic waste mixture and conforms to the guidelines specified in the Indian Road Congress (IRC).
The use of waste plastics for road construction makes the roads more durable and prevents the formation of potholes as plastic does not allow water to stagnate at the top. It helps to have a better binding of bitumen with the plastic-waste coated aggregate which leads to increased bonding. The polymer coating also reduces the voids. It is understood that a road with plastic has an average lifespan of eight to 10 years as compared to a conventional one, which has five to six years.
The effective use of plastic in road construction in India reportedly began in 2015 when the Union Government instructed the use of waste plastic with hot mixes. Plastic roads are a prim example of how humans can make treasure from trash. It is a win-win situation.
