Improper waste disposal poses the risk of contaminating natural water bodies and soil. The low recycling rate of plastics and their fate in landfills are significant global environmental concerns. Efforts to increase the use of recycled plastics worldwide aim to address the hazardous consequences of improper plastic treatment. One potential solution is incorporating plastics as binder or mixture modifiers in asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures, which repurposes waste plastics while reducing environmental impacts related to AC production. This study calculated the environmental impacts of repurposing waste plastics, specifically low-density polyethylene and polystyrene, into modifiers in AC mixes. Wet and dry processes were considered. The environmental impacts of plastic-modified AC mixes were compared with those of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)-modified mixes. The life cycle assessment covered the following processes: (1) collection, sorting, and shredding of waste plastics; (2) transportation of waste plastics from landfill to recycling facility and then to the asphalt plant; (3) supply and transportation of virgin materials; (4) production of AC mixtures; (5) transport of material and equipment to site; and (6) onsite operations. The study concluded that waste plastic-modified mixes outperformed SBS-modified mixtures with regard to environmental performance, except for ozone depletion resulting from certain recycling process activities. The high-shear mixing in the wet process had a significant impact. Sensitivity analyses revealed the influence of binder content and material transportation on the overall environmental assessment.


    Access

    Download

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Life Cycle Assessment for the Use of Waste Plastics in Asphalt Concrete Mixes


    Additional title:

    Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2024-05-05




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Frictional properties of asphalt concrete mixes

    Ongel, A. | Online Contents | 2009



    Effect of Aggregate Gradation on Fatigue Life of Asphalt Concrete Mixes

    Sousa, Jorge B. / Pais, Jorge C. / Prates, Manuel et al. | Transportation Research Record | 1998


    Elastic Modulus of Polymer Treated Asphalt Concrete Mixes

    Mazumdar, M. / Vijaya Kumar, V. | British Library Online Contents | 1997


    Cost-Comparison Methodology for Selecting Appropriate Asphalt Concrete Mixes

    McGhee, Kevin K. / Clark, Trenton M. | Transportation Research Record | 2008