DPWH approves use of plastic bottle waste as additive in road asphalt 

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Monday it approved the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle waste as an additive to enhance stability and extend the lifespan of asphalt-paved national roads, according to a report by Manila Standard.

Building on the 2024 initiative of using low-density polythylene (LDPE) plastic bag waste in road construction, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan signed a department order on the standard specification for the use of another plastic waste material dubbed as Item 310 (19) or the bituminous concrete surface course with PET plastic bottle waste, hot-laid.

The plastic waste mixture now forms part of the DPWH Standard Specification for Highways, Bridges, and Airports, Vollume II, and is now included in the Department’s Project and Contract Management Application which will be used for future projects of DPWH regional offices, Unified Project Management Office Clusters and District Engineering Offices nationwide.

“Turning waste into valuable resource for building better and more roads is the future of public infrastructure development in the country. The public can expect more of these policies as we vow to continue to fund for this construction innovation,” Bonoan said.

The agency’s new order is In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to building resilient and sustainable infrastructure, the DPWH said.