We are in a time in which to look for alternatives of recycling that help the development of the planet is something ideal and is not far from being realized, since everything has a second life, and this life is through recycling, in cities such as Vancouver. is making the use of plastic waste to pave the streets, this has been very helpful to save on the energy that is implemented to asphalt.
The need to pave streets will always exist, and what better way than to develop sustainable strategies to do it, in this city of Canada, the asphalt is mixed with a part of recycled plastic from juice and shampoo containers.
The great thing about this type of mixtures is that they are able to reduce the temperature to transport them, in general the city has saved up to 20% of the fuel used to heat the common asphalt, in addition to the series of benefits such as lower emissions. gas in plants where this asphalt is produced. Mainly this technique was developed in Europe and then it was adapted in cities of North America.
Benefits of Mixing
The main benefit is towards the environment, the recycling of plastic waste as part of an activity that is essential in the development of urbanisms, another benefit when adding plastics to the asphalt mixture is that it reduces the viscosity which allows it to be easier to manipulate and allows it to be applied at lower temperatures, in addition to this; the plastic allows to create a quite durable surface, which makes the asphalt much stronger.
At the moment the mixture only applies 1% plastic, but this 1% is better than fulfilling a function in the asphalt, a second life or opportunity, and not that it is immersed in piles of garbage or even in the ocean that is where much of this plastic ends.
A second life for plastic waste: Circular Economy
The plastic has the quality of being very durable over time, in fact it takes many years to degrade, so studies are being made about its use on these roads, it could have a positive influence on the time of these routes; that is, they could become much more durable than conventional roads.
When the plastic used for any activity fulfills its function, the recycling step will give it a new life, the suo of these waste in a recycled way contribute to a circular economy and promulgates the values on the care and protection of the environment.
Empresas involucradas
One of the companies involved in the creation of these roads with recycled plastic is VolkerWessels, a company located in the Netherlands where the proposal of an ecological matter has been presented, besides being an economic alternative for the asphalting of streets, proposal that not only seeks to reduce bumps in the streets, but significantly reduce the amount of plastic that constantly accumulates in the world.
The project entitled "PlasticRoad" consists of the use of a 100% recycled material, which is not damaged by corrosion, this road structure would handle quite low temperatures, approximately -40º to 80º Celsius, which translates into less damage to the structure , at the same time less maintenance and finally a sustainable management of road development in the world.
