Using used plastic as raw material for road construction is a downstream initiative: World Bank

Some solutions have been proposed by the United Nations to reduce global plastic pollution, including some new solutions such as using used plastic as a partial substitute for raw materials in road construction.

A report published by the World Bank regarding the construction of plastic roads states that the international legal agreement to reduce plastic pollution is a whole life cycle to reduce plastic pollution, connecting upstream and downstream actions. The cycle calls for perspective.

The report states that using used plastic as raw material for road construction is a downstream initiative while upstream steps are also needed to eliminate used plastic.

It should be noted that the use of recycled plastic has emerged as a new technology in which it is used as an input raw material.

The report states that many companies are implementing this technology worldwide, but there are issues like cracking in engineering issues.

The report states that since plastic used in road construction is targeted at post-use and maintenance stages, plastic roads are considered a downstream initiative.

The author of the report points out that using recycled plastic for road construction would be a viable option that also protects the environment and human health.

The report added that 132 plastic road projects are underway worldwide, while recently Pakistan has also constructed the first plastic road in the capital Islamabad.

It is further reported that 58 percent of the plastic road projects have been planned or are under construction while 37 percent of the plastic roads have been constructed and put into use.

A member of the Capital Development Authority told Dawn that recently a one-km plastic road has been constructed from Ayub Chowk to Margalla with the help of a private company.

The report states that research is needed to address the critical knowledge gap regarding construction of plastic roads.

Due to the huge amount of plastic produced globally, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers are exploring new ways to use used plastic.

The report further states that plastic roads are an emerging technology.

In the early stages, the process faces problems like quality control, and as a result, the industry has to be wary of operational issues and adoption of this technology.

Also, modern and additional equipment will be needed to convert the plastic used at the plant into blacktop.

Because the technology is relatively new and most countries lack standardized guidelines, long-term results are unclear and more pilot and research projects are needed, the report said.

According to the report, overall there is great uncertainty regarding the performance of plastic roads.

According to the report, new research shows that the use of plastics in road construction can reduce road cracking resistance.

Also, the long-term performance of plastic roads under environmental conditions, including flooding, is unclear.

Without this assurance it will be difficult to assure that plastic roads will not require more maintenance than normal roads.