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Hawaii Tests Recycled Ocean Plastic in Asphalt Roads
Researchers in Hawaii are testing whether recycled polyethylene from discarded fishing gear and other plastic waste can replace some virgin polymer used in road asphalt, with early results showing promising rutting performance and no clear increase in polymer shedding.
Published October 19, 2026
Key Points
- Hawaii researchers are testing recycled polyethylene from marine debris and other plastic waste in asphalt pavement.
- The material could replace some virgin polymer currently used in polymer-modified asphalt.
- Initial testing has shown encouraging resistance to rutting, while cracking performance remains less certain.
- Early environmental testing has not identified greater polymer shedding from recycled-polyethylene pavement than from conventional polymer-modified asphalt.
- Texas researchers are also testing recycled-plastic asphalt in parking areas and on a roughly one-mile road section near Dallas.
MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): Hawaii is testing a potential new use for marine plastic waste by incorporating recycled polyethylene into road asphalt, an approach that could create another outlet for discarded fishing gear and other difficult-to-manage plastic streams.
The state's marine debris includes materials ranging from abandoned fishing nets and ropes to bottles and food packaging. Researchers are evaluating whether polyethylene recovered from these waste streams can replace a portion of the virgin synthetic polymer used in polymer-modified asphalt (PMA).
Recycled Polyethylene Put to the Test
Polymer-modified asphalt is commonly used to improve pavement strength and resistance to cracking, rutting and water damage.
Researchers in Hawaii have been testing asphalt formulations containing recycled polyethylene alongside conventional polymer-modified pavement to determine whether the recycled material can perform effectively under road conditions.
Initial testing has produced encouraging results for resistance to rutting. However, long-term cracking performance remains less certain and requires additional study.
Researchers Examine Potential Polymer Shedding
Environmental performance is another key part of the research.
Researchers are examining whether normal road wear could release additional plastic particles into the surrounding environment when recycled polyethylene is incorporated into asphalt.
Early findings have not identified greater polymer shedding from recycled-polyethylene pavement than from conventional polymer-modified asphalt. However, additional testing is still needed to assess long-term environmental and pavement performance.
Texas Tests Similar Recycled-Plastic Asphalt
Texas is pursuing a related approach as researchers examine whether recycled plastic can improve pavement performance under extreme summer temperatures and heavy traffic.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington are testing recycled-plastic asphalt in university parking areas and on a roughly one-mile road section in Rockwall, near Dallas.
The Texas work is also focused on whether incorporating recycled plastics can improve pavement durability while creating a productive use for plastic waste.
Durability Will Determine Wider Adoption
The Hawaii and Texas initiatives illustrate the potential for using recycled plastics in infrastructure rather than relying entirely on virgin polymer materials.
For broader adoption, however, long-term pavement durability, cracking resistance, environmental impacts and performance under real-world traffic and weather conditions will remain critical considerations.
