Recycled plastics are being used already in many applications to help curb the problem of plastic wastes. Apparently, only 10% of the plastics produced since 1950s have been recycled. Now, with more applications, it might be feasible to jack up that number.
In the Philippines, a use for recycled plastics that has been revealed recently is for creating this road.
San Miguel Corporation shared via Facebook their recent step towards sustainability by using recycled plastics for this road.
“We’ve built the first recycled plastics road in the Philippines! Close to 900 kilos of plastic waste, equivalent to 180,000 sachets and plastic bags, were used to produce asphalt for a 1,500 square-meter test site at our new logistics center in Cavite. This is just the first step, but a significant one towards sustainable plastic management,” SMC wrote.
A netizen raised a concern about this though. “Have you considered erosion and how these can turn into microplastics that could make their way to the rivers and oceans,” she commented.
SMC replied, “We appreciate the great discussion on this thread! To answer the question: No, it will not break down into microplastics. The plastics are melted, its properties are altered. In short, it becomes bitumen or asphalt. This pilot is meant to determine the effectiveness and impact of this solution. Hope this clarifies.”
Last week, the company also announced that it is adopting the use of biodegradable plastics for food and non-food products.
The company claimed that the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Industrial Technology Development Institute gave this innovation an Environmental Technology Verification certificate.
What are your thoughts on this? Share them in the comments section.
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