Quote Originally Posted by Irving View Post
It really seems like more effort to find ways to effectively recycle plastic would be better than the effort to ban it.
We were asked by a state legislator if we could incorporate recycled plastics into concrete and asphalt. The simple answer is yes we could, but the realistic answer is no. If you grind plastics to beach sand size and consistency, you could substitute it for up to 10 percent of the sand used in concrete without worrying about strength and durability. But add anymore, you would have to which devil is worse. Lowed strength can be offset with more cement, but cement production is the number one industrial CO2 source. Then you have to look at the storage and production cost of plastic sand. Plastic sand is 20 times more expensive than natural sand and about as expensive as cement (which is the most expensive component). Then since plastic doesn't bond with concrete, as a roadway is worn away, that fine plastic is liberated and free to wash away into the drains into waterways. And how would one need to store plastic sand at a concrete plant? You couldn't store it in open bins like real sand, as it would blow or wash away. Concrete suppliers would have to add additional silo's to a plant. Most plants can not be expanded without great expense. We currently have no idea what the durability of plastic containing concrete is, as it has not been researched. But my guess is since it requires more cement for the same strength, durability goes down. If durability goes down, we would be replacing infrastructure sooner, increasing the costs to tax payers.

All in all, recycling plastics into concrete is a no win situation... unless you own a recycling company and line the pockets of your favorite politician to mandate its use in state highway projects.