All Regional Offices, District Engineering Offices, and Unified Project Management Office Clusters of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) can now utilize shredded plastic bag wastes to make longer-lasting national roads across the country.
DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan recently signed Department Order No. 139, series of 2024, prescribing the Department’s standard specification for the use of the recycled material dubbed Item 310 (15) - bituminous concrete surface course with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bag waste, hot laid.
According to Secretary Bonoan, the latest policy aims to promote the recycling of LDPE plastic bag waste by shredding and using it as an additive to reduce the susceptibility to permanent deformation of bituminous concrete surface course or asphalt concrete.
“This development is in line with the continuing efforts of the Department to support sustainable engineering and upgrade construction technology through adoption of successful research studies,” said Secretary Bonoan.
The use of LDPE plastic bag waste in asphalt cement mix has successfully passed testing and met standards set by the DPWH Bureau of Research and Standards.