A road made from waste plastics

Jamshedpur Utilities and Services Company (JUSCO), a Tata enterprise, was carved out of Tata Steel from its Town Services Division in 2004 in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand (India). Jamshedpur is known not only for its steel but also for green and clean city.

Jusco has constructed a road in Jamshedpur, made from waste plastic. According to the contractors, 90 per cent of bitumen is amalgamated with 10 per cent of plastic that includes everyday waste ranging from carry bags to miscellaneous items like biscuit and gutka packets. These products are shredded into small pieces and mixed with the liquid before laying it on the road. Contractors say that the cost of the entire process is not more than Rs. 325 per metre.

Plastic-cum-tar roads is 25 per cent better than unmodified roads and is almost 200 per cent resistant to soaking up water. The maintenance cost of the road is very low, while its durability is high. The roads reportedly need no repairing for at least five years.



The old adage – “reduce, reuse and recycle” has never been more true and necessary.