Utilization of waste plastics in road construction : a study of plastic roads in Thailand as a remedy to plastic pollution | |
| Author | Walugembe, Francis |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.MPA-21-44 |
| Subject(s) | Waste products as road materials--Thailand Plastic scrap--Recycling--Thailand Plastic scrap--Environmental aspects--Thailand |
| Note | A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Marine Plastics Abatement |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Plastics currently play a major role in our daily life as plastic products and plastic packaging. Plastic pollution as an increasing environmental concern arises from poor methods of Municipal Solid Wastes. This has compelled scientists to come up with ecofriendly and innovative ways of re-using the discarded waste plastics from residential areas and industries. In Thailand, over 2.7 million tons of plastic wastes are generated annually with an average of approximately 7,000 tons per day. These wastes are disposed of by incinerating or in landfills. This research investigates the use of waste plastic to amend the common bituminous mix in road construction. Using waste plastic in road construction may help to cope with the rapidly growing environmental pollution due to increased Municipal Solid Waste generation. The incorporation of waste plastic is done by the dry process in-situ during which plastic waste is added to replace bitumen with varying weight and percentage. The Marshall Method of bituminous mix design is performed but with significant enhancement in properties like indirect tensile strength, retained stability, and Marshall Stability when waste plastic is incorporated in the bituminous mix relative to the conventional mix. This new asphalt mix may not completely eliminate plastic pollution but more than 60% of plastic wastes generated in Thailand could be diverted and used as a raw material instead of bituminous thus saving resource extraction but also significantly reducing the quantity of solid wastes disposed of in the environment while reducing the cost of road construction. This innovative technology has already become an internationally accepted practice. If this innovative technology is fully adopted in Thailand, the utilization of plastic waste in road construction sector will not only advance the quality of roads but also land reserved for landfills will be saved while promoting environmental sustainability and clean water bodies thus protecting marine life and the environment in general. |
| Year | 2021 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Marine Plastic Abatement (MPA) |
| Chairperson(s) | Cruz, Simon Guerrero; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Thammarat Koottatep;Tatchai Pussayanavin; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Japan; |
| Degree | Research studies project report (M.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2021 |