Performance Evaluation of Different Types of Plastic Incorporated in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)

The global plastic waste crisis poses a significant environmental challenge, requiring innovative and sustainable solutions for its management. This study explores the integration of various plastic wastes (PP, MLP, LDPE, and crumb rubber) into asphalt mixtures. It conducts a comparative assessment of four distinct plastic materials by analyzing their Marshall properties. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that including various plastics at an approximate rate of 8% significantly reduces the demand for virgin bitumen in asphalt mixes, indicating the potential for bitumen replacement by waste plastic to some extent. Plastic waste is added to hot aggregates, resulting in coated aggregates. When used in the asphalt mix, plastic-coated aggregates (PCA) exhibit better binding properties, enhanced resistance to moisture damage, Marshall stability, and density. Additionally, incorporating PCA in road construction leads to a reduction in carbon emissions. This paper promotes a circular economy, reducing the environmental impact, i.e., carbon footprint of plastic waste, while improving the quality and longevity of our road networks.