Use of Plastics in Road Materials (Paving)

Status: Complete
Report Date: 08/22/2025

Summary:

A growing demand for paving aggregates and an overabundance of plastic waste may create a sustainability partnership. Plastic is a significant contributor to the waste stream in the U.S. Less than 10% is recycled and repurposed. Transforming plastic waste into useful materials like road pavement could have numerous environmental, economic and sustainability benefits. Local agencies and MnDOT explored the feasibility and material performance of plastic waste incorporated into both asphalt and concrete pavement mixes. Information gathered from recycled plastic material providers informed the choices of materials to test in the laboratory. Researchers analyzed mixing processes, material behavior and durability of both asphalt and concrete pavement mixes. While further research and field testing is needed, the plastic-modified pavement mixes showed high potential for equal or improved performance and significant sustainability benefits.

Final Deliverables:

Use of Plastics in Road Materials (Paving) (Report #2025-28)
Testing Recycled Plastics in Asphalt and Concrete Pavement Mixes (Research Summary)

Related Materials:

Testing Recycled Plastics in Asphalt and Concrete Pavement Mixes (Blog Post)

Related Research:

Project Personnel:

Principal Investigator: Halil Ceylan

Co-Principal Investigator: Sunghwan Kim, Walaa Mogawer, Peter Taylor, Alexander Austerman

Technical Liaison: Jim Johnson

Project Coordinator: Barbara Fraley