(Photo: Chiang Mai University)
Plastic is primarily composed of high-carbon fossil fuels, with annual carbon emissions equivalent to 600 coal-fired power plants. Due to its resistance to natural decomposition, recycling and reuse have become critical issues. In recent years, the Thai government has successfully developed a new technology that incorporates waste plastic into asphalt for road paving. This not only enhances durability but also reportedly reduces 5 tonnes of plastic waste for every kilometer paved.
Thailand’s “Plastic Roads” are stronger than conventional roads
On June 28, Apirat Chaiwongnoi, Director of the Department of Rural Roads under the Ministry of Transport of Thailand, stated that this technology has revolutionized infrastructure construction standards. The benefits of using recycled materials include mitigating environmental impact and reducing energy consumption. He emphasized that all roads have passed the tests and standards of the Research and Development Department.
This project has been underway for six years, involving collaboration across public and private sectors and universities. Dow Thailand Group highlighted that paving a 1-kilometer-long, 6-meter-wide road requires 3 tons of plastic or 900,000 plastic bags. The durability of roads incorporating plastic materials has increased by 15% to 33% compared to conventional asphalt roads.
Currently, Thailand has four plastic roads with a total length of 6 kilometers. Given the success, the Thai government aims to expand the application of this technology. National Highway No. 3140, leading to Nakhon Ratchasima Airport, will use this technique for road surface repair, with construction planned to start by the end of the year, covering approximately 3 kilometers. Apirat urged businesses and citizens to actively sort and recycle plastic, providing it to the government for road construction.
“Plastic Roads" Seen in the US, UK, Australia, India, Indonesia
Thailand generates about 2.76 million tons of plastic waste annually, with only 500,000 tons being recycled—a recycling rate of less than 20%. Despite the government's establishment of the Plastic Material Flow Database and a ban on retail stores providing free plastic bags to consumers, the Pollution Control Department (PCD) reported that the country's total plastic waste in 2022 was 25.7 million tons, an increase of 800 thousand tons from 2021.
Plastic roads are not exclusive to Thailand; similar technologies can be seen in Australia, India, the UK, and the US. The latest plastic road in Bali, Indonesia, was completed and opened in June, spanning approximately 450 meters and utilizing 200 kilograms of plastic waste. PT Chandra Asri Pasific Tbk, the material manufacturer, revealed that prior to this, the total length of its plastic roads in Java had exceeded 120 kilometers.
Source: The Nation、Bangkok Post、Antara News
