Netherlands Is Building Roads With Plastic Waste From The Ocean

October 25, 2017

Netherlands using plastic waste oceans to build roads
Photo credit: Bob Daemmrich/Polaris

A Dutch company has found a way to give plastic waste a new, productive life.

Volker Wessels has announced plans to collect plastic pollution from the ocean and use it to build highways in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

"The plastic offers all kinds of advantages over the ongoing construction, both in the development of roads and maintenance," said Rolf Mars, one of the leaders of VolkerWessels.

"The road will have greater endurance and can withstand extreme temperatures from -40° to 80° C. Its installation will be done in less time."

Among other benefits, the project proponents point out that plastic is lighter than cement, so the ground pressure decreases substantially. The hollow space within the blocks also allows easy insertion of cables and can be used for storage.

Inventors Anne Koudstaal and Simon Jorritsma "expect to have a first prototype completed by year-end 2017."

Watch the video below.


feel good videoHis Last Day As A Teacher After 36 Years. They Turned It Into A Memory For Life

feel good storiesMailman Shares All The Adorable Snowmen Found On Her Route This Winter

feel good storiesMeet Despereaux, The Adorable Dumbo Mouse You’ll Want To See

feel good storiesKids Are Loving The Tiny Duck Libraries Popping Up Around New York City

feel good stories'I Laughed And Cried': Vet’s Hilarious Condolence Card Brings Laughter To Grieving Cat Owner

feel good storiesTeen Runs His Own Restaurant ALONE — One Of The Most Uplifting Stories You'll Read

feel good videoUnexpected Friends: Rhino And Tiny Deer Play In Snow

feel good videoSheep Escape Herd And Wander Into Supermarket In Funny Video

feel good videoDonkey Gets Tricked Into Taking His Medicine — And It’s Adorable

feel good videoKissing Rescue Dogs And Filming Their Reactions

feel good videoI Picked Up My Sister From Work At A Doggy Daycare — Then This Happened