Incorporating Waste Plastics into Pavement Materials: A Review of Opportunities, Risks, Environmental Implications, and Monitoring Strategies
Source abstract
Abstract
The integration of waste plastics into pavement materials offers a dual benefit of enhancing road performance and mitigating the environmental burden of plastic waste. This review critically examines the opportunities and challenges associated with incorporating waste plastics in pavement construction, with an emphasis on their impact on the mechanical properties, durability, and life cycle performance of pavements. Special attention is given to the environmental implications, particularly the potential generation and release of micro- and nano-plastics during the pavement life cycle. This paper further evaluates current monitoring and analytical methodologies for detecting plastic emissions from road surfaces and explores emerging approaches for minimizing environmental risks. By providing a comprehensive synthesis of existing knowledge, this review seeks to support sustainable practices and inform policy development within the frameworks of circular economy and environmental stewardship.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Asphalt Pavement Performance Evaluation · Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Mineral Recovery Research Centre (MRRC), School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
References (91)
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