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I found an interesting article that breaks down some of the potential problems with this process and the risks involved with heating plastics and trying to diff

I found an interesting article that breaks down some of the potential problems with this process and the risks involved with heating plastics and trying to differentiate between plastic and PVC (they release different compounds when heated, both potentially problematic). https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/heard-about-miracle-plastic-roads-heres-why-its-not-solution-our-plastic-problem-36927 https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/heard-about-miracle-pl...

schiffern 8y ago
> the risks involved with heating plastics ... (they release different compounds when heated, both potentially problematic) The article makes this claim: > Studies reveal that even heating plastics such as PP, PE and PS releases moderate to highly toxic emissions – carbon monoxide, acrolein, formic acid, acetone, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, toluene and ethylbenzene. Citing this[1] paper. But the paper only shows toxic emissions from recycling plants operating at 200-300 degrees Celsius, not at 165 degrees Celsius (ie the peak temperature of asphalt). [1] http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653508013532 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653508... edit: btw the article's broken vimeo link was the trailer to Chris Jordan's incredibly powerful film Albatross (then titled Midway): https://www.albatrossthefilm.com/ https://www.albatrossthefilm.com/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLkTTJW4xZs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLkTTJW4xZs
- mod 8y ago
  From the OP's article: > Asphalt is heated to a temperature of 170C (338F). Shredded plastic below 70 microns (including the multi-layer plastic shreds) is then sprinkled over it. The bits of plastic seemingly disappear, melting into the red heat.
  - marzell 8y ago
    "seemingly" disappear. How is this any different than, say, the banned "microbeads"? This just puts tiny fragments of plastic into the environment, which is even more difficult to collect/recycle/sequester than plastic bags and bottles. I think this is a well-intentioned, but overall terrible idea and I hope they are forced to find a better solution.

schiffern 8y ago

> the risks involved with heating plastics ... (they release different compounds when heated, both potentially problematic) The article makes this claim: > Studies reveal that even heating plastics such as PP, PE and PS releases moderate to highly toxic emissions – carbon monoxide, acrolein, formic acid, acetone, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, toluene and ethylbenzene. Citing this[1] paper. But the paper only shows toxic emissions from recycling plants operating at 200-300 degrees Celsius, not at 165 degrees Celsius (ie the peak temperature of asphalt). [1] http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653508013532 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653508... edit: btw the article's broken vimeo link was the trailer to Chris Jordan's incredibly powerful film Albatross (then titled Midway): https://www.albatrossthefilm.com/ https://www.albatrossthefilm.com/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLkTTJW4xZs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLkTTJW4xZs

mod 8y ago
From the OP's article: > Asphalt is heated to a temperature of 170C (338F). Shredded plastic below 70 microns (including the multi-layer plastic shreds) is then sprinkled over it. The bits of plastic seemingly disappear, melting into the red heat.
- marzell 8y ago
  "seemingly" disappear. How is this any different than, say, the banned "microbeads"? This just puts tiny fragments of plastic into the environment, which is even more difficult to collect/recycle/sequester than plastic bags and bottles. I think this is a well-intentioned, but overall terrible idea and I hope they are forced to find a better solution.