A technique to dispose waste plastics in an ecofriendly way – Application in construction of flexible pavements

► The aggregate used for road laying is modified by coating the waste plastics over the aggregate. ► The polymer coated aggregate shows improved properties. ► The waste plastics coated aggregate is mixed with bitumen and the mix was used for road laying. ► The performances of these roads shows that the PCA bitumen mix roads are performing well. ► The process also helps in disposing the waste plastics in an eco friendly manner. Waste plastics, littered both by domestic and industrial sectors was found to be a source of raw material for the flexible pavement. Waste plastics, mainly used for packing are made up of PE, PP and PS, their softening point varies between 110 °C and 140 °C and they do not produce any toxic gases during softening. But the softened plastics have a tendency to form a film like structure over the aggregate, when it is sprayed over the hot aggregate at 160 °C. The formed PCA is a better raw material for the construction of flexible pavement. PCA was then mixed with hot bitumen of different types and the mixes were used for road construction. PCA + bitumen mix showed improved binding property and poor wetting property. The sample showed higher Marshall Stability value in the range of 18–20 kN and the load bearing capacity of the road is increased by 100% and there is no pothole formation. The roads laid since 2002 using PCA + bitumen mixes are performing well. A detailed studies on the performances of these roads shows that the PCA bitumen mix roads are performing well. This is an eco friendly and economic process too.