An Analysis of Plastic Reuse Strategies for Road Construction in Bihar for a Sustainable Society

Abstract

Plastic waste poses a significant threat to the environment. On average, a person uses about 45 kg of plastic annually. Since plastics are non-biodegradable, they take a very long time to decompose naturally. The frequent use of plastics in our society harms soil fertility, clogs drainage systems, and causes many other problems. Managing plastic waste disposal is a major challenge today. Reusing plastic waste can address this critical issue. The Bihar Government has launched a project to build durable, water-resistant roads using single-use plastic waste under the Lohia Swachh Bihar Abhiyan, which emphasizes systematic waste collection and management. Through this program, single-use plastic waste is collected door-to-door from rural households and sent to a plastic waste management unit, where it is used in road construction. This research paper aims to analyze the government-led initiative to incorporate waste plastic into road construction in Bihar. India.