Laboratory and environmental assessment of warm asphalt mixtures modified with plastic waste

Nowadays, incorporating recycled plastic waste into asphalt pavements represents a sustainable approach to address environmental challenges related to waste disposal and the demand for limited natural resources. This practice can also improve the overall performance of road pavements. In this context, the present research reports the results of a laboratory characterization and environmental assessment of a warm mix asphalt (WMA) for binder course, modified with recycled plastic. Specifically, the plastic derived from waste generated during electrical wire manufacturing was added into the mixtures through the dry method at different contents (i.e. 0.5, 1 and 2%). The mixtures were qualified through workability and mechanical tests (compaction energy index, indirect tensile strength and indirect tensile stiffness modulus) and then compared with the corresponding reference mixture (without plastic) to assess the effect of recycled plastic modification. Test results show that the workability, strength and stiffness of WMA mixtures are enhanced with respect to the reference one. Finally, a comparative life cycle assessment was carried out to evaluate the potential environmental impact resulting from the incorporation of recycled plastic into the asphalt mixture compared to the conventional formulation.