P lastic is used in the construction of roads. This can be termed as another alternative to recycle the plastic present on the planet. The process of making plastic roads starts by shredding plastic in a shredder which is then added to the aggregate to get coated uniformly over it within 30 to 60 seconds, giving an oily look. The aggregate mix is heated at 165°c and transferred in the mixing chamber. And the bitumen is heated to 160°c to result in good binding. The plastic waste coated aggregate is mixed with hot bitumen and the resulting mix is used for road construction. The road laying temperature is between 110°c to 120°c. In this way small stretch of plastic road consumes 300 plastic carry bags and 6 PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles. But only polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) polymers can be used than PVC (polyvinyl chloride or flex) in road laying as Thermal degradation of PVC, results in the emissions of harmful gases. Let us now also see the four methods for waste disposal in a broad sense: land filling, incineration, recycling and biodegradation.
Landfilling: requires vast space, but the chemical constituents and energy contained in plastic is lost in this disposal method leaking pollutants (phthalates and bisphenol A) into the soil and surrounding environment.
Incineration: returns some of the energy from plastic production stored during derivation of plastics from petroleum or natural gas. However, hazardous substances causing ill health effects may be released into the atmosphere in this process.
Recycling: Even though recycling is the most effective way to deal with plastic waste, its effectiveness is highly depended on public awareness, economic viability, and the implementation of public infrastructures to make recycling more efficient.
Biodegradable Plastics: Even though biodegradable plastics can be completely metabolized by organisms into carbon dioxide and water, there are allegations that Oxo-Biodegradable plastics may release metals into the environment.
We can overcome this problem, only if, together we get determined, decide and dedicate to solve plastic pollution. So, yes plastic (only as a need); but: Let’s no plastic pollution!
