Wyndham City uses recycled materials to repair roads

Wyndham City Council is using recycled plastic bags to repair and resurface its roads and have seen positive results.

Recently the council resurfaced Geddes Crescent in Hoppers Crossing with the equivalent of 34,000 plastic bags.

Fulton Hogan’s PlastiPhalt mix, made from recycled plastic and reclaimed asphalt pavement, was used to reseal 210 metres of the road.

Environment and Sustainability portfolio holder Heather Marcus said using recyclables to resurface roads was a great way to improve existing assets and reduce wastage.

“This exciting innovation is another example of Council’s commitment to using environmentally sustainable materials to build and maintain our assets,” Cr. Marcus said.

“Council is continually trialling and investing in new technologies to reduce what we’re sending to landfill, cut our emissions and contribute to a healthier planet.”

Geddes Crescent is one of a number of resurfacing projects Wyndham City’s Asset Rehabilitation Team has trialled in recent months to resurface and repair local roads using materials that would have otherwise ended up in landfill.

Treatments such as recycled plastics, rubber, steel mill slag and asphalt have also been used in a selection of road resurfacing trials along Dunnings Road in Point Cook.

Now, Wyndham City has focused its efforts on trialling a crack sealing product containing waste plastics and tyre crumb to repair local roads in Williams Landing.

Cr. Marcus said while it was still early in the trial, the product was showing promise as an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional crack sealing products.

“Crack sealing forms an important part of Council’s road maintenance activities and extends the longevity of roads by filling up cracked surfaces and preventing water damage,” Cr. Marcus said.

She said this helps protect the environment by reusing waste materials and avoiding early replacement of our roads, and is another component of Wyndham City’s efforts to embrace the circular economy.

“If we could use recyclables in most of our roads, as we aim to eventually, we could save thousands of tonnes of plastic and other materials from being sent to landfill.”

We know many people are working remotely, for a free home subscription to Roads & Infrastructure click here.