Roads made from 'trash': new ecological construction started in Nepal
In Nepal, the use of recycled plastic waste in road construction has begun. As reported by the Times of India, the country is trying to address one of the biggest environmental problems — the accumulation of plastic in cities, rivers, and mountainous areas.
The issue of plastic waste management remains one of the most acute in Nepal. Due to the increase in plastic consumption and an underdeveloped recycling system in rapidly growing cities, including Kathmandu and Pokhara, pollution levels have significantly risen. In response, the country has started implementing technology that uses plastic in road construction.
This involves recycling plastic bags, snack and biscuit packaging, and other multilayer materials that are difficult to recycle by traditional methods. They are shredded and used as part of the road surface.
The project in the city of Pokhara is carried out by the local organization Green Road Waste Management, founded by Bimal Bastola. It uses low-quality plastic as an alternative to some traditional materials in road construction.
According to the project, about two tons of shredded plastic are needed for one kilometer of road. First, the plastic is melted, then applied to the gravel base of the road, and bitumen is added afterward to form the asphalt mixture.
Representatives of the initiative claim that such roads can be more durable and better withstand the effects of water and harsh weather conditions.
At the same time, the article notes that the issue of the long-term environmental safety of this technology requires further research and monitoring. Nepal has long faced problems with solid waste management due to rapid urbanization and insufficient recycling, which causes the accumulation of plastic pollution.
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