San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has recently started testing asphalt produced with recycled plastic waste and bitumen as additives on a 1,500-square meter pilot site at its new logistics center in General Trias, Cavite. Handout
MANILA- The Philippines' first recycled plastics road was debuted by San Miguel Corporation in General Trias, Cavite, the company announced on Friday.
The conglomerate said it used over 180,000 sachets and plastic bags for asphalt that was laid on a 1,500-square meter pilot test site.
"We want to create a sustainable use for waste plastics so that they don’t end up in landfills and our rivers and oceans,” San Miguel President Ramon Ang said.
The plastic waste acts as a binder for the production of asphalt and can help make roads more durable, the company's technology partner Dow explained.
San Miguel said independent lab testing done on its recycled plastics road asphalt showed that it exceeded the standards of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The company added that it hopes to build plastics roads in its facilities as well as infrastructure projects in the future.