Waste Plastic in Road Construction, Pathway to a Sustainable Circular Economy: A Review

Department of Geology, Afe Babalola University, Ado – Ekiti, Nigeria

^* Corresponding Author: ogundanaak@abuad.edu.ng

Abstract

Plastic waste is one among the numerous waste that is harmful to the environment and is been established to have a significant dominance among the industrial waste. A critical problem is in how to discard the waste plastic which is quite difficult because its non-biodegradability. Similarly, improving the sustainability of manufacturing industry and the overall circular economy remain a major challenge to the global economy. Thus, this study focused on the existing literatures on thedeployments of waste plastic in road construction. From the literature consulted, it was discovered that the incorporation of the waste plastics into the building materials like bitumen depends on the economical, ecological and technical requirements. However, adequate application of the waste plastics in road construction will provide roads and pavements with adequate rheological properties and reliability. Also, it will minimize the problem of dumping of waste plastics on the landfills that could pose threat to the environment. Thus, bringing a sustainable circular economy. This study provides a hub of information that will guide the government and other authorities on the need to develop policy that will guide the use of waste plastic in road construction without compromising the standard quality of road required.