Construction of 1 km of 4-lane highway using plastic waste can help in disposal of around 7 tonnes of waste plastic
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has embarked upon a mission for utilising plastic waste in a big way. It has mobilised nearly 26,000 people across the country for spreading awareness on plastic waste management. Over 61,000 hours of shramdaan has been given to collect plastic waste which has resulted in the collection of nearly 18,000 kg of waste plastic throughout the country.
Under the ‘Swachhta Hi Sewa’ program of the Government of India, it has undertaken awareness generation against the use of plastic, through ‘Swachhata Awareness Program’, through rallies, putting up posters / banners / slogans, distribution of pamphlets at toll plazas and nearby dhabas, and organizing painting / essay writing competitions in schools. Awareness programs are being organised at camp sites and local community centres, publicity through FM radio, cleaning of National Highways and collection of plastic waste / polythene bags / plastic bottles, cleaning up toll plazas are being done, and Swacchata Workshops for truck drivers and toll employees are being organized. The Ministry is discouraging the use of plastic water bottles, installing dustbins for collection of segregated waste, and is distributing cloth/jute bags.
The Ministry is also encouraging the use of plastic waste in highway construction, especially on National Highways within 50 km periphery of urban areas that have a population of 5 lakh or more. A stretch of road has recently been constructed using plastic waste on NH-48 near Dhaula Kuan. A portion of Delhi-Meerut expressway and Gurugram-Sohna road have also been planned for construction using plastic waste.
Plastic waste has already been used in wearing courses of National Highways construction on the pilot basis in the States of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The technology used is in compliance with the guidelines of Indian Roads Congress for the use of waste plastic in hot bituminous mixes in wearing courses. Construction of 1 km of 4-lane highway using plastic waste can help in disposal of approximately 7 tonnes of waste plastic.