A top to bottom look at green energy
I struggled with deciding in which forum to start this discussion. It could be germane to a lot of them. But since the Tesla thread has had so much activity, and Tesla's technology is central in the c...
Forum Discussion
valhalla360 wrote:pianotuna wrote:valhalla360 wrote:
So where exactly will the asphalt for the roads come from? Right now probably 70-80% of lane miles are asphalt (and portland cement concrete isn't exactly a green product).
Nothing political about it. What will these big beautiful roads be built from?
India is having good success with recycling plastic for roads.
First, the plastic is not the binder but an aggregate replacement (it replaces some of the sand and gravel). (They do similar with ground up tires)
Second, plastic is made from....crude oil. While there is a small amount made from plant sources, it generally doesn't have good long term durability. In fact it's promoted based on the fact that it breaks down fairly quickly...not so great for a road where you are shooting for a 20-30yr lifespan.
This article is from 2016 so the road is now 18 years old. "Jambulingam Street, Chennai, is a local legend. The tar road in the bustling Nungambakkam area has weathered a major flood, several monsoons, recurring heat waves and a steady stream of cars, trucks and auto rickshaws without showing the usual signs of wear and tear. Built in 2002, it has not developed the mosaic of cracks, potholes or craters that typically make their appearance after it rains. Holding the road together is an unremarkable material: a cheap, polymer glue made from shredded waste plastic."
https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/jun/30/plastic-road-india-tar-plastic-transport-environment-pollution-waste
