Home / Environment / Plastic Roads Soak Up Rain, Fight Floods
Plastic Roads Soak Up Rain, Fight Floods
30 Sep
Summary
- Recycled plastic roads store rainwater, helping combat floods.
- Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport tested roads using recycled plastic.
- The pilot project aims to reduce waste and manage water runoff.
In a significant stride towards environmental sustainability, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has been experimenting with a novel road construction method. The airport, in collaboration with industry partners, has built a pilot section of road and parking bays using recycled plastic. This initiative directly addresses two pressing global issues: plastic waste and urban flooding. By repurposing plastic waste into durable road elements, the airport is actively reducing its environmental footprint.
The innovative roads are designed with a hollow structure, enabling them to collect and store rainwater. This hidden water-storage system acts as a buffer during heavy precipitation, thereby mitigating flood risks. The collected water is gradually released into the earth, which also helps to replenish groundwater levels and prevent pollutants from vehicles from contaminating the surrounding soil. This pilot project represents a forward-thinking approach to infrastructure development, aiming for a dual benefit of waste reduction and flood management.
