2024, Volume 70(74), Issue 4 (December), pp. 111 - 120

Investigations On the Recycling and Use of Polyethylene Terephthalate - PET (Plastic Bottle) in Asphalt Mixture

CLAUDIU-IONEL CHICUȘ, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, Iași, Romania, claudiu-ionel.chicus@student.tuiasi.ro
GHEORGHE GUGIUMAN, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, Iași, Romania
SILVIU CRISTIAN IRICIUC, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, Iași, Romania
GELU-RĂZVAN GIMIGA, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, Iași, Romania

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DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14582224

Date: December 31, 2024

Abstract
The article analyzes the issue of plastic waste, with a particular focus on PET (polyethylene terephthalate), both at the national and global levels, highlighting their environmental impact and the recycling strategies employed to reduce their negative effects. Recipients made of polyethylene terephthalate are among the most widely used plastic materials, especially in the beverage and food packaging industries, and their accumulation in the environment is a major concern due to their high resistance to decomposition. The use of plastic waste, particularly PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, in asphalt mixtures is an innovative solution that is gaining increasing attention both nationally and internationally, in the context of reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in the environment and improving the performance of road infrastructure. PET is one of the most common types of plastic used in packaging, and recycling it presents a significant challenge. In this regard, integrating PET bottles into asphalt mixtures can contribute to reducing plastic waste and improving the durability of road infrastructure.
Keywords: pollution, plastic waste, recycling, roads, sustainable