Maharashtra Government decides to use plastic waste in building roads

The Government of Maharashtra on 15 June 2016 decided to use plastic waste, along with tar, to build roads.

The decision is aimed at improving the durability and longevity of asphalt roads and reducing soil pollution caused by plastic.

The directive was given in the light of guideline released by the Union Government in November 2015 to deal with the growing problem of disposal of plastic waste in India's urban areas.

The guidelines made it mandatory for road developers to use waste plastic along with bituminous mixes for road construction.

Details related to the directive

• In the initial phase, municipal corporations with a population of over 5 lakh and municipal councils that have a population of over 2 lakh will execute the directive.

• The responsible agencies will build roads in 50-km radius by mixing 3 to 6 kg of plastic for every 100 kg of tar used.

• The plastic mix will include materials like carry bags, sacks, milk pouches, bin linings, cosmetic and detergent bottles, drinking water bottles, bottle caps, household articles, etc.

A well constructed Plastic Tar Road will result in the following advantages.

• Strength of the road  increased (Increased  Marshall Stability Value)

• Better resistance to water and water stagnation

• No stripping and have no potholes

• Increased binding and better bonding of the mix

• Increased load withstanding property( Withstanding increased load transport)

• Overall consumption of bitumen decreases

• Reduction in pores in aggregate and hence less rutting and raveling

• Better soundness property

• Maintenance cost of the road is almost nil

• The Road life period is substantially increased

• No leaching of plastics

• No effect of radiation like UV

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