A comparative study of bituminous mixtures with recycled polyethylene added by dry and wet processes

Abstract

The use of “silo bags” is a common technique developed in Argentina for the low cost on farm storage of grains and nowadays, they are extensively used in different countries all around the world. They are big plastic bags made of three layers of polyethylene where different types of dry grains can be stored in a hermetic ambient. After several uses the silo bags are damaged and must be replaced. These materials are hardly biodegradable and they occupy an important volume in landfills. This paper presents a comparative laboratory study about the influence of different percentages of recycled polyethylene from silo bags added by dry and wet processes on a bituminous mixture compared to two other mixtures containing conventional bitumen and polymer modified bitumen. The obtained results are presented and discussed showing that the reuse of recycled polyethylene from silo bags in bituminous mixtures is an environmental friendly alternative.