Solutions Plastic featured in NE Municipal Review

Each year millions of tons of plastic are thrown in the trash. But what if there was a way to repurpose it to support large municipal infrastructure projects? The Nebraska Environmental Trust has awarded the City of South Sioux City, $492,407 for a unique project for the State of Nebraska. The funding will help the city to construct a 2,500-foot street comprised of millions of recycled bags. “South Sioux City is excited with the announcement regarding Nebraska Environmental Trust funding for the first plastic road in the state. The project is reflective of an innovative council and leadership while enhancing our city,” said South Sioux City Mayor, Rod Koch. Plastic roads are a fairly new idea in long histroy of roads. Plastic roads like the one planned for South Sioux City have been used in various locations though the United States and world—in a variety of climates. They are being constructed with great effectiveness and showing longevity. India was the first county to build a plastic road in 2001 and since that time, the countries of Sweden, Australia, Indonesia, and Ghana also have used this method to craft roads. The simplified version of turning a plastic bag into a road requires the bags to be separated, cleaned, dried, and then shredded. The mixture is then heated to 165 degrees to melt them and then added to hot bitumen. Bitumen is the black mixture used for road resurfacing. The city is partering with Firstar Fiber, an Omaha recycling company that converts used plastics, such as plastic bags, water bottles, straws, and fast-food containers into multiple-use products.

In terms of sustainability, plastic roads reduce plastic waste by relying on a product that typically goes in the trash. They also boast lower emissions and lower cost— when done in volume. Additionally, the roads have shown less cracking and wear because they are more flexible than traditional roads. “This is a great project for our environment and a needed road by our Veterans Park, said Mayor Koch. The plastic and asphalt mixture will be used to pave a gravel road along the John Douangdara Dog Park. This exciting project brings more attention to Siouxland Freedom Park which has been growing and expanding in recent years. The park currently includes a Vietnam Wall, a Korean War Memorial, John Douangdara Memorial Dog Park, a 50x90 foot American flag, and the Bud and Doris Day Veterans Center. The plastic road project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

Here is the full article by author Ashely Wolfe from the NE Municipal Review.