A sustainable approach: Utilization of waste PVC in asphalting of roads

The most problematic plastic produced today is polyvinylchloride (PVC). For years throw-away products made of PVC have been a leading cause of dioxin pollution in incinerators and when burned in fires. In this study PVC pipe waste has been used as a modifier up to a level of 3% and 5% of bitumen in making bituminous product for paving application. PVC releases dioxins when burned; so it cannot be directly heated with aggregate at high temperature. PVC waste can be used safely only when it makes a homogenous blend with bitumen at a temp of 160 °C. PVC is not compatible with bitumen; therefore to make a homogeneous blend, waste PVC was initially treated with a chemical modifier and then blended with bitumen. The visco-elastic properties of the bitumen-PVC blend were studied. Later the performance characteristics of bituminous mix made up of these modified binders were studied and compared with those of conventional bituminous mix. The results indicate that PVC pipe waste can be used successfully in road construction. Strength and stability of the mix increased after incorporation of PVC pipe waste, and also increased resistance to permanent deformation was observed.