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Plastic Recycling in Asphalt Concrete Pavements: Preliminary Observations from Hawaii’s Pilot Project
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This paper presents results from a Hawaii pilot project testing asphalt mixes containing recycled plastic waste, evaluating their pavement performance. Incorporating plastic waste into road surfaces permanently sequesters it, preventing these materials from fragmenting into microplastics in the environment.
This paper presents findings of testing performed to date from three field asphalt concrete mixes obtained from paving performed in November 2022 for a pilot project in Hawaii. The control mix meets Hawaii State IV mix requirements, with 20% reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and polymer modified asphalt (PMA) binder PG64E-22. The other two mixes, which have the same gradation and RAP content, were prepared with 2 lb. per ton of NewRoad pellets consisting mostly of post-industrial high-density polyethylene (HDPE). One of these was prepared with PMA PG64E-22 and the other with neat binder, PG64-16. Testing results to date show benefits in rutting and expected results in dynamic modulus. They are inconclusive with regard to cracking because of high variability and inconsistencies in IDEAL-CT results without and with moisture sensitivity conditioning.
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Paving the road to a circular economy: Analysis of microplastic and plastic additive leachates from asphalt containing recycled plastics in Hawai'i
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Researchers analyzed microplastic and chemical additive leaching from three asphalt formulations — standard polymer-modified asphalt, virgin HDPE-modified asphalt, and recycled post-industrial HDPE-modified asphalt — used in a pilot project on O'ahu, Hawai'i, providing the first assessment of contamination potential from recycled-plastic road infrastructure.
Developing Sustainable Asphalt Mixtures Using High-Density Polyethylene Plastic Waste Material
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Researchers evaluated asphalt mixtures incorporating high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic waste as a sustainable road pavement material, assessing whether recycled plastic can improve or maintain pavement performance while addressing plastic waste disposal.
Recycled Plastics in Asphalt Mixtures: A Systematic Review of Mechanical Performance, Environmental Impact and Practical Implementation
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This systematic review evaluates using recycled plastics in road asphalt as a way to reduce plastic waste. The research found that incorporating recycled plastic can actually improve road durability while diverting waste from landfills. This approach matters for microplastic reduction because it locks plastic into road surfaces rather than allowing it to break down freely in the environment.
Paving the road to a circular economy: Analysis of microplastic and plastic additive leachates from asphalt containing recycled plastics in Hawai'i
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Researchers conducted the first in-depth analysis of microplastic and plastic additive leaching from asphalt pavement containing recycled post-industrial high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic on O'ahu, Hawai'i, testing three asphalt mixes and finding that recycled-plastic-modified asphalt released measurable microplastics and chemical additives into leachate.
Using Plastic Bags in Roadways
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This paper reviews the potential of incorporating plastic waste into road construction as a strategy to reduce plastic pollution while improving pavement performance. The study characterizes how shredded plastic bags can be blended with asphalt or aggregate, assessing mechanical performance and potential environmental trade-offs.
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.