Recycled plastic replaces part of bitumen in Texas road test
2026.09.01 - 23:29
• Around 4.5 tonnes of recycled plastic were incorporated into a test section of State Highway 205 in Rockwall, Texas. • The recycled plastic replaces approximately 8–10% of the bitumen used as asphalt binder — not the entire bitumen content. • The project is testing performance under real traffic, high temperatures, cracking and rutting conditions. • Researchers are also evaluating whether the technology could provide an outlet for low-value plastic waste that is difficult to recycle through conventional routes. • The road section was constructed in May 2025 and is being monitored over time to assess its long-term performance.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), working with the Texas Department of Transportation and industry partners, are evaluating an asphalt mixture containing recycled plastic on a section of State Highway 205 in Rockwall, near Dallas. Approximately 4.5 tonnes of recycled plastic were used for the test section. According to UTA, the technology replaces around 8–10% of the petroleum-based bitumen used as binder in the asphalt mixture. The plastic waste is cleaned and processed before being incorporated into the asphalt production process. The objective is not only to reduce the amount of conventional bitumen required, but also to investigate a potential application for plastic waste streams that may have limited value in conventional recycling markets. The Texas location provides particularly demanding testing conditions. Researchers are monitoring the pavement under high temperatures and real traffic loads, with particular attention to cracking and rutting. For the plastics and recycling industry, the project is relevant because road infrastructure could potentially become an additional outlet for certain low-value recycled plastic streams. If technically and environmentally validated, such applications could complement — rather than replace — established mechanical recycling routes. However, the technology should not yet be considered a proven large-scale solution for plastic waste. Long-term durability, environmental performance and the behaviour of the incorporated plastics throughout the road's life cycle remain important aspects of the ongoing evaluation. The test section was constructed in May 2025. The current interest therefore concerns the monitoring and evaluation of an existing full-scale application rather than the launch of a new projectSOURCE
University of Texas at Arlington – Infusing asphalt with plastic could help roads last longer and resist cracking under heat