Watch: How an Indian professor is turning plastic trash into highways

Writer Todd Reubold
@treubold Media and communications professional

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March 29, 2018 — Plastic pollution is one of the greatest challenges facing the world. Just last week scientists writing in the journal Scientific Reports announced that the weight of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch was four to 16 times more than we thought.

All of this means finding ways to recycle and reuse plastic waste are more important than ever.

Enter Rajagopalan Vasudevan, a professor at the Thiagarajar College of Engineering in Madurai, India. After seeing plastic waste was a growing problem throughout the country, he devised a method for converting recycled, shredded plastic waste into flexible, long-lasting roadways.

To date, thousands of kilometers of highways in India have been paved using the process he invented, thereby reducing the amount of plastic waste that might otherwise be released into the environment.

Budapest, Hungary-based filmmaker Seth Coleman produced, shot and edited this video.

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Add Your Comments

DATTU PANTH Mar. 30th, 2018

Great work to nation by Dr. R. VASUDEVAN Garu and his innovative principle for disposable waste will be never forgotten the entire world .
Amelia Mar. 30th, 2018

This is potentially an excellent alternative use for plastic waste. My biggest concern is the potential generation of micro and nano plastic pollution from wear and tear on the road. Is there anything being done to look at how significant of an issue this might be, what impacts it might have, etc? I also wonder about the presence of hazardous additives, particularly those that are not chemical bound to the polymer, in the recycled waste stream. What is being done to ensure the recycled plastic doesn't contain hazardous additives or other hazardous materials?
Dr Noman F Qadir Apr. 2nd, 2018

Heating plastic which contains chlorine under 1200 0C can produce gases (dioxins & furans) which are addressed in Stockholm convention and are dangerous chemicals. These gases are known carcinogens. Has there any measurement / monitoring to of gases coming out from mini Hot process which includes dioxins- furans.
Partha Basu Apr. 2nd, 2018

Kudos Doctor Vasudevan, for this invention. A great way to use discarded plastic. As these are not easily degradable, the life of roads are also expected to be longer - especially areas where heavy rain accelerate the damage of the road structure.
And most importantly, he does not want to make profit from this. This is a noble act and Nobel prize shall be given to this kind of individuals.
Sherry Mathew from Dubai Apr. 5th, 2018

Dr. Vasudevan it is a great solution to create demand for plastic which would otherwise be discarded carelessly. But how successful has it been to convince govt. to use this solution to all new projects? My current employer has created rubberized roads but because of change in road laying methodology and long term garuntees the method is not finding acceptance. Basically change in habits issue!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Olufemi J Akinyemi Mar. 4th, 2021

l am really impressed with the development

Watch: How an Indian professor is turning plastic trash into highways

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