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Experimental Investigation on the Performance of Rigid Pavement Incorporating Non-Degradable Waste, Quarry Dust, and M-Sand
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This study isn't really about human health—it's about road construction. Researchers found that mixing shredded plastic waste (up to 10-15%) with quarry dust and manufactured sand can actually make concrete roads stronger while cutting down on river sand mining and diverting plastic from landfills. One thing worth noting: this research didn't test whether these roads shed microplastics over time as they wear down, which could be a useful follow-up question for environmental and health researchers given how much attention microplastic exposure is getting lately.
The rapid depletion of natural river sand and the growing accumulation of non-degradable plastic waste have created significant environmental challenges in the construction industry. This study presents an experimental investigation on the performance of rigid pavement concrete incorporating non-degradable plastic waste, quarry dust, and manufactured sand (M-sand) as partial replacements for conventional fine aggregates. Concrete mixes were prepared with varying percentages of shredded plastic waste (10%, 15%, and 20%) in combination with quarry dust and M-sand, and the specimens were evaluated for workability, compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength, and water absorption. Results indicate that the mix containing 10% plastic waste achieved improved compressive and flexural strength compared to conventional concrete due to enhanced particle packing and matrix densification, whereas higher replacement levels resulted in gradual strength reduction because of weaker interfacial bonding. The findings demonstrate that plastic waste replacement up to 10–15%, combined with quarry dust and M-sand, is technically feasible for rigid pavement applications while promoting sustainable construction practices and reducing dependence on natural sand
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Sustainable Road Infrastructure Using Plastic Waste-Modified Asphalt: Performance Evaluation and Life-Cycle Cost Analysis
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Researchers found that mixing shredded plastic waste (about 9% by content) into road asphalt makes roads stronger and longer-lasting, while also giving old plastic a useful second life instead of piling up in landfills or oceans. This isn't a direct human health study, but it matters for public health because it offers a practical way to reduce plastic pollution—one of the sources of microplastics that eventually end up in our water, food, and even our bodies. As a bonus, it could save money on road repairs, making it a win for both the environment and infrastructure budgets.
Laboratory Hydraulic Conductivity Assessment of Recycled Crushed Concrete Aggregate and Plastic Mix Pavement Base
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This study isn't about human health directly—it's civil engineering research testing whether recycled concrete and plastic waste (like HDPE and PP) can be mixed into road base material instead of dumped in landfills. Researchers found that adding a small amount of recycled plastic actually improved the material's drainage properties, which could make roads more durable and reduce plastic waste. Worth noting: this involves plastic used as solid structural material under roads, not something that breaks down into microplastics you'd encounter directly.
Experimental Study on Waste Plastic Modified Bituminous Mix for Flexible Pavements
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Researchers found that mixing shredded waste plastic (like grocery bags and packaging film) into road paving material makes roads stronger and more durable while also giving discarded plastic a useful second life instead of it ending up in landfills or waterways. This matters because it tackles two problems at once—plastic pollution and road quality—though it's worth noting the study didn't examine whether the plastic in these roads breaks down into microplastics over time or affects nearby air, soil, or water as roads wear down from traffic and weather.
Preparation of Plastic Road using Single Used Waste Plastic
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Researchers found that mixing shredded plastic waste (like grocery bags and packaging) into road pavement makes roads stronger and longer-lasting compared to regular asphalt, while also giving single-use plastic a useful second life instead of piling up in landfills or waterways. This matters because it offers a practical way to reduce plastic pollution, which is a major source of the microplastics increasingly found in our water, food, and even our bodies—though more research is needed to confirm these roads don't shed their own microplastic particles over time.
Preparation of Plastic Road using Single Used Waste Plastic
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that mixing shredded waste plastic (like grocery bags and food containers) into road pavement material makes roads stronger and longer-lasting, while also giving single-use plastics a useful second life instead of piling up in landfills or waterways. This matters because it tackles two problems at once: less plastic waste breaking down into microplastics that pollute soil, water, and eventually our food and bodies, plus more durable roads that need fewer repairs. That said, this study focuses on road performance and cost—more research would be needed to confirm there's no risk of plastic particles leaching out of pavement over time.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.