India is emerging as a global pioneer in “Green Roads”, using waste and recycled plastic — including plastic bottles — in road construction. This innovation helps reduce plastic waste and decrease reliance on fossil-fuel-based asphalt.
🌍 Key Facts
According to India’s Ministry of Transport, more than 40,000 kilometers of roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana program have already been built using recycled plastic.
Most of the plastics used are single-use plastics — such as bags, bottles, and food packaging — which are shredded into small pieces and mixed with asphalt to enhance road flexibility and durability.
By blending plastic into the mix, India has managed to reduce bitumen use by 8–10% while extending road lifespan by over 50%.
