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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.
The growing environmental impact of plastic waste and the high energy consumption in traditional asphalt production have driven the search for more sustainable alternatives in road construction. This systematic review evaluates the incorporation of recycled plastics into Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA), focusing on their effects on mechanical performance and environmental outcomes. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA/ScR) methodology, 39 studies published between 2012 and 2023 were analyzed to compare plastic types, incorporation methods (dry, wet, and pyrolysis), and dosage levels. Results show that plastics such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), and Polypropylene (PP) can improve stiffness, rutting resistance, and fatigue life. WMA technologies, while less commonly applied, offer significant environmental advantages by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. The review highlights the critical role of plastic type, blending method, and local conditions in optimizing performance. Overall, integrating recycled plastics into asphalt mixtures presents a promising pathway toward more durable and sustainable pavement infrastructure.
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Waste Plastic in Road Construction, Pathway to a Sustainable Circular Economy: A Review
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This review examines existing literature on incorporating waste plastic into road construction, finding that its inclusion can improve pavement performance and durability while offering a pathway to divert non-biodegradable plastic from landfills.
Recent advances in the construction of sustainable asphalt roads with recycled plastic
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This review examines the growing use of recycled plastics in road asphalt, tracing the practice back to the 1980s and identifying key challenges around performance, durability, and the risk of microplastic release from plastic-modified road surfaces. The authors conclude that while promising for waste reduction, more research is needed on long-term environmental impacts.
A systematic review on sustainable utilization of plastic waste in asphalt: assessing environmental and health impact, performance, and economic viability
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Researchers systematically reviewed plastic-modified asphalt, finding that while recycled plastic waste can improve road performance in some cases, it also poses environmental health risks through microplastic release, carcinogenic compound emissions, and volatile organic compound off-gassing, with cost-effectiveness varying widely by plastic type and processing method.
Use of Waste Plastic as a Replacement for Bitumen in Road Construction
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This review examines methods for incorporating waste plastic into road construction as an alternative to virgin bitumen and aggregates. Techniques like plastic-coated aggregates and plastic-modified bitumen improved road durability and weather resistance while diverting plastic from landfills. The approach offers a dual benefit of reducing plastic waste accumulation and decreasing the environmental impact of road construction.
Mixed plastic waste in the sustainable road: Thermal stability, mechanical properties, economic and environmental assessment
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Researchers found that mixing food packaging waste (2-5% by weight) into road asphalt makes stronger, more crack-resistant pavement while keeping it stable at high production temperatures. This approach could divert plastic waste from landfills, saving money and cutting carbon emissions, though more research is needed on whether these roads shed microplastics over time.
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