Environmental Performance of Road Asphalts Modified with End-of-Life Hard Plastics and Graphene: Strategies for Improving Sustainability

Road construction takes a heavy toll on the environment. Therefore, innovative strategies to improve environmental performances of this sector are needed, and use recycled materials (e.g., plastic) has been recently pursued achieve goal. The present work aims (i) assess benefits deriving from hard plastics in combination with graphene generate new bitumen modifier related asphalt mixture (AM) formulations (ii) compare performance modified using traditional polymer (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene, SBS) non-modified bitumen. A detailed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study was performed according cradle-to-cradle approach. Different scenarios were compared, including variability pavement’s layers thickness amount reclaimed pavement during road maintenance cycles. results demonstrated that addition enhanced structural AMs, which turns into extended durability, reduced cycles as well reduction raw material use. also creates synergistic effect by offering valuable alternative plastic incineration it secondary material. This analysis allowed us indicate new-modified AM solution least burden all impact categories, suggesting its significant role implementing sustainability pavements.