Over 1 lakh kg plastic from MRF units used for road construction in Mangaluru

Time of India

2 days ago

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Mangaluru: In an attempt to provide a sustainable solution to plastic waste management in the region, nearly 1.70 lakh kg of plastic waste segregated at Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) is now being used for a road project.
In what is probably the first-of-its-kind initiative in Karnataka, in terms of quantity, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic from four MRFs has been used by the NHAI to develop service road stretches between Talapady and Nanthoor, and from Surathkal to Sasthan, said Mangala Resource Management Pvt Ltd (MRMPL) managing director Dilraj Alva.
MRMPL is managing MRF units in Karkala, Edapadvu, Bantwal, and Kedambady.
Alva told TOI, "This project has provided a major boost to the use of recycled plastic in road construction and is also expected to enhance road durability." MRMPL director Sachin Shetty explained that the plastic used is LDPE, a flexible and tough plastic, typically considered low-value. The four MRF units collectively process 18–20 tonnes of dry waste daily, which is carefully segregated by type, with 40–50 tonnes of LDPE plastic recovered per month.
He said that the Indian Road Congress (IRC) and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have issued specific guidelines for incorporating plastic in hot bituminous mixes for wearing courses. These guidelines allow the use of LDPE or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) while prohibiting black-coloured plastics or PVC due to their potential to emit harmful gases. The rules also define the permissible size, thickness, and percentage of plastic to be added to bitumen.
In adherence to these specifications, MRMPL has established a dedicated shredding unit in Mulki to clean and process the plastic before handing it over to contractors executing the road works, Shetty said.
"This is possibly the first time such a large volume of plastic waste is being used in a road project in Karnataka. One reason for the slow adoption across the state could be the difficulty in meeting stringent technical standards," he said.
"Meanwhile, plastic from this facility has also been used by the Hubballi local body for the development of a one-kilometre road. Also, in Kedambady, two 50-metre stretches are being developed as trial roads using recycled plastic. The tenders for this project are yet to be finalised," Shetty said.
NHAI project director Abdulla Javed Azmi said this is certainly a first for the region, where single-use plastic has been used in road construction.
The concessionaire has also extended support for the initiative. Recycled plastic has been used not only for a 46-km stretch of the service road but also in parts of the main highway. This move is expected to significantly reduce maintenance costs. This method should be adopted by the local ULB.
The use of recycled plastic in road construction will enhance road strength and aid in effective waste management. It is expected to increase the durability of roads by 8–10 years, ensuring long-lasting infrastructure while putting plastic waste to productive use, said Ritam Gangully, project manager of Udupi Tollway Private Limited.