Recent advances in the construction of sustainable asphalt roads with recycled plastic

Although various polyolefins have intermittently been used for making roads since the 1980s, recycling of plastic waste into raises new challenges related to production, performance and durability plastic-modified asphalt. This review critically discusses incorporating recycled plastics bitumen/asphalt in terms selection, chemical compatibility, long-term potential contributions fuming, microplastic pollution contaminant leaching. Recent advances field are also presented recommendations future work address current research industrial gaps suggested. Challenges construction include wide variability composition its properties after recycling, which not only affect successful incorporation bitumen but impact mechanical environmental roads. The lack representative testing procedures prevents an accurate understanding short- real conditions contribution fuming release remains unclear. However, promising laboratory-based developed benchmark polyaromatic hydrocarbons volatile organic compounds, as well microplastics, from asphalt against conventional polymer-modified asphalts. Standards still required facilitate modification by plastics, meet needs manufacturers convince local authorities foster if proven be a sustainable practice. © 2022 Authors. Polymer International published John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf Society Industrial Chemistry.