Research Outline

Persuasive Thesis: In the debate on the best method of disposing of plastic waste, using

plastic in road construction is certainly better than recycling or incineration of plastic.

Background:

1. Solid waste management is one of the most challenging problems in this age as

traditional landfills (which directly contribute to ground water pollution and

global warming) are becoming scarce and environmentally undesirable (Huang,

1995; Pradip, Kumar, 2013).

2. It is already a proven fact that polymer wastes have the greatest contribution to

this problem (Huang, 1990; Tallman, 1987; Wessling, 1993; Thayer, 1989)

3. We should, therefore, concentrate on qualitatively and quantitatively figuring out

the best method of disposing of plastic waste among recycling, incineration, and

paving of road surfaces using plastic.

4. Recycling plastic involves certain steps like good waste management procedures

which if neglected will make it impossible to even start the process (Huang,

1995).

5. Recycling plastic, although a very sound process, is not economically beneficial

and therefore recycled plastic products cannot claim a large share of the market

(Lea, 1996).

6. Incineration, on the other hand, is highly economical (Huang, 1995; Behl,

Sharma, Kumar, 2014) but the release of poisonous dioxins, hydrogen chloride,

nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, etc. can lead to grave health complications such

as cancer, lung infections due to air pollution, or even death (Roberts, Chen,

2006).
7. The details regarding the probability of different health concerns and the

percentage release of different toxic substances have been researched upon and

will be displayed in the research paper.

8. The most environmentally friendly and economical way of reducing plastic waste

is using it in paving road surfaces (Ahmadinia, Zargar, Karim, Abdelaziz,

Shafigh, 2011).

9. This way huge amount of plastic waste can be removed from landfill sites quickly

(Kajal, Pundhir, Sangita, Chandra, 2007), and the conditions of roads in both

developed and developing nations can be improved significantly (Ahmadinia et

at., 2011; Kajal et al., 2007; Behl et al., 2014; Choudhary, Jha, Gill, 2010)

Discussion:

1. We should focus on the balance between the advantages and disadvantages of

different waste management procedures.

2. Recycling has been practiced for a long time (Huang, 1995; Lea, 1996), and has

helped in emptying landfill sites for the past seven decades.

3. The advantages regarding recycling are lesser dependence on fossil fuels,

politically favorable process, technical aspects of the process are already well

established, and the process can be carried out on any scale (Huang, 1995).

4. However, the disadvantages of recycling are so grave that further development in

this industry becomes totally impossible. Some of the disadvantages are the

downgrade of final products, difficulty in separation of elements in mixed plastic,

very high cost of gathering and sorting, etc. (Huang, 1995).

5. Most developing countries do not follow proper waste management procedures

and therefore sorting of plastics become nearly impossible.

6. With the decreasing trend in oil price, plastic products made from scratch are

becoming less expensive than recycled ones and therefore are more preferred in

the market.

7. Incineration of plastic actually produces the most energy per gram out of all the

other energy sources such as coal and oil (Lea, 1996).

8. However, most of the by-products of incineration are extremely poisonous and

they can cause severe damage to living beings (the percentage increase of harmful

gases in the atmosphere due to incineration will be presented in table format)

(Roberts, Chen, 2006). Some of the most concerning problems are cancer (due to

the release of dioxins), lung infection and eye irritation (due to air pollution) or

even death (Roberts, Chen, 2006).

9. The process of using plastic in making road surfaces is proven to be both

environmentally friendly and economical (Ahmadinia et al., 2011).

10. The quality of roads made of plastic is significantly better than the asphalt roads

(Ahmadinia et al., 2011; Kajal et al., 2007; Behl et al., 2014; Choudhary et al.,

2010).

10. . The stress level, penetration power, tensile strength, effects of temperature and

pressure will be presented to compare the quality of roads made of different

substances.

11. The roads made of plastic asphalt mixture are very economical and therefore more

developing countries can improve their road infrastructure using lower cost but

higher quality materials.

11. As it is already proven that the tensile strength of the roads made of plastic-

asphalt mixture is greater (Ahmadinia et al., 2011; Kajal et al., 2007; Behl et at.,
 2014; Choudhary et al., 2010), the substance can withstand greater load, which is

essential in this age of increased road transportation.

12. Modifying asphalt with plastic is potentially the best solution to making of

flexible pavements that would increase the service life length of the pavement,

reduce the pavement layer and base thickness (Al-Hadidy, Tan, 2009; Ozen,

Aksoy, Tayfur, Celik, 2008).

12. The durability of the roads is hugely increased because of the substance’s

resistance to water, ultraviolet radiation etc. (Ahmadinia et al., 2011).

13. The cost of maintenance will also decrease significantly because of the improved

road conditions.

14. As this method will require a lot of plastic, the landfill sites can be emptied in the

fastest way possible by following this procedure.

15. Addition of waste plastic in bituminous mixture decreases the amount of bitumen

to be added and therefore significantly contributes in reduction of overall cost

(Sabina, Khan , Sangita, Sharma & Sharma, 2009).

16. The negative impact of using plastic waste in making road surfaces is very

minimal.

17. All theses results conclude that using plastic waste in making road surfaces is

certainly the best potential solution to tackling the problem of plastic waste

management.
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