Australia Installing New Roads Using Plastic Waste in Asphalt

Ten sites in Victoria, Australia will get new roads that are mixed with recycle plastics, promoting a viable circular-economy solution for the nation, according to experts.

The project is led by RMIT University and supported by the Australian Research Council, Austroads, and 10 Victorina Councils. The project will incorporate recycled plastic from consumer and industrial waste into asphalt as a performance enhancer.

The project is helping to address an urgent challenge in Australia as the nation is generating 2.6 million metric tons of plastic waste each year. Plus, landfill space is expected to reach capacity by 2025.

"These guidelines will enable local governments, which control 80% of the nation's roads, to begin widescale adoption of this innovative recycling solution," said Filippo Giustozzi from RMIT's School of Engineering.

Melbourne and nine suburban and regional councils will lead the way with each having sections of recycled road up to 900 meters long over the next few months. The project sites will use an estimated 21,000 kg of recycled plastic.

"If Australia's 537 local governments each used a small amount of recycled plastic in the many roads they resurface each year, then nationally we'll have created a large end-market for recycled plastic,” said Giustozzi.

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