A Laboratory Study on Effect of Plastic on Bitumen

Challenges are a way of life. From those challenges arise the Endeavour to find solutions. Two such challenges that countries with large populations face are effective disposal of plastic waste & establishing road network that is economical & durable. The sight of plastic waste littered around is a common sight in most urban areas. The first plastic waste road was laid in Bangalore in 2002 for a stretch of about 300to500metres. As on date a total of 1400Km in Bangalore in different stretches 2Kms in Delhi & 6Kms in Hyderabad was laid. The waste which is collected from various sources like apartments schools & by civil workers is put in a shredder. The shredded bits are then stored in bags for about a week to drain out the moisture from them. Later these are taken to a hot mixing plant located on outskirts of city, where it is mixed with asphalt & forms a compound called polymerized bitumen. This not only with stands monsoons but also the everyday wear & tear. Normally, the life span of a road is about 3years but plastic roads life span is about 6-7years. This is because the melting point of bitumen is 60to70degrees, whereas that of plastic is about130to140degrees.