Using Recycled Materials for Local Road Construction

Wyndham City is proud to announce its participation in a groundbreaking collaborative project aimed at revolutionising road construction by incorporating recycled plastic from consumer and industrial waste, including notoriously stubborn soft plastics, which have been shown to enhance the performance of asphalt.

Partnering with RMIT University, Austroads, the Department of Transport, and nine other councils, Wyndham City is set to pave the way for sustainable infrastructure development.

A total of 170 tonnes of plastic modified asphalt with 600kg of recycled plastic will be trialled in a section of road in Cambridge Crescent Wyndham Vale, between Jackman Court and Lentara Crescent, with construction expected to be completed in March.

Wyndham City Councillor and Climate Futures and Environment Portfolio holder, Robert Szatkowski expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating Wyndham City is committed to leading the way in sustainable practices.

“Our aim for this project is to increase the use of recycled plastics in road construction across our city and to provide reusable guidelines for local councils wishing to increase the sustainability of their roads,” Cr Szatkowski said.

“This initiative aligns with our broader vision for a sustainable and resilient Wyndham and positions us as pioneers in the adoption of recycled materials for critical infrastructure.”

Along with RMIT and Austroads, the project includes Australia’s leading pavement authorities and specialists, including public works and building bodies, recyclers and contractors.

It will be coordinated under the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Transformation of Reclaimed Waste Resources to Engineered Materials and Solutions for a Circular Economy (TREMS).

RMIT University project lead, Professor Filippo Giustozzi, said extensive laboratory studies conducted for Austroads – the collective of Australian and New Zealand transport agencies – show these mixes are mechanically, chemically, and environmentally sound.

"The performance of roads can actually be improved with the additions of recycled material, such as plastic and rubber, to be more durable against traffic and resistant against ageing,” said RMIT project lead, Professor Filippo Giustozzi.

To see what roads are being upgraded near you, check out the Capital Works Dashboard: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/capitalworksdashboard