Contributions to Incorporation of Non-Recyclable Plastics in Bituminous Mixtures

João Fonseca, Vítor Antunes () and Ana Cristina Freire
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João Fonseca: Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade Lusófona, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
Vítor Antunes: Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade Lusófona, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
Ana Cristina Freire: National Laboratory for Civil Engineering, Av. do Brasil 101, 1700-063 Lisbon, Portugal

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-19

Abstract: Over the past 50 years, global plastic production has surged exponentially. Around 40% of this plastic is used for packaging, most of which is single-use, while 20% is used in construction. Despite the vast quantities produced, only about 6% of discarded plastics are properly recycled, 10% are incinerated, and the majority are disposed of without proper management. With low recycling rates and some plastics being non-recyclable or with limited recycling cycles, it is important to explore new ways of reusing this waste as secondary raw materials. This study explores the potential of incorporating non-recyclable plastic waste into bituminous mixtures. The objective is to develop a sustainable solution for surface courses with similar or better performance than traditional bituminous mixtures by incorporating plastic waste using the dry method. A bituminous mixture containing 10% non-recyclable plastic was formulated and tested for water sensitivity, wheel tracking, and stiffness modulus. Additionally, environmental and economic comparisons were performed with a standard surface mixture. Results showed increased water resistance, high resistance to permanent deformation, reduced stiffness, lower susceptibility to frequency and temperature variations, and greater flexibility. These findings suggest that adding plastic not only enhances mechanical properties but also reduces costs, offering a sustainable alternative for non-recyclable plastics in road construction.

Keywords: bituminous mixtures; dry method; incorporation of plastic; recycling; surface course (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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