Billions of hazardous waste could soon end up in asphalt. Scientists from Spain and Italy have developed a technology that will turn cigarette butts into an additive that strengthens road surfaces. The results of the study surprised even the authors themselves.
Cigarette butts are a problem for the environment
According to data cited by a team of researchers from the University of Granada and the University of Bologna, around 9 trillion cigarette butts are thrown away around the world every year. They end up on beaches, forests, water reservoirs and soil, remaining in the environment for decades. Their components – mainly cellulose fibers and plastic – decompose very slowly and pose a significant environmental risk.
E-cigarette waste, which contains more synthetic fibers and chemicals, is particularly problematic. The researchers emphasize that traditional recycling methods are not adapted to such complex waste. The innovative approach can not only reduce the number of problems with asphalt, but also improve the technical characteristics of asphalt.
How do cigarette butts strengthen asphalt?
Researchers are already producing special pellets based on recycled cigarette butts. In the technological process, the ends containing organic ash are removed, and the remaining part – consisting mainly of cellulose fibers and plastic – is shredded and mixed with wax. The resulting mass is then pressed, heated and cut into granules.
This additive goes directly into the hot bitumen mass. Under the influence of temperature, the wax melts, releasing fibers that act as reinforcement for the asphalt structure. Effect? Significantly increased fracture resistance, improved plasticity and flexibility of the road surface.
The presence of waxes in the mixture further reduces the temperature of asphalt production, which means lower energy consumption and reduced emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere. This is an important argument from the point of view of sustainable road construction.
Research confirms the effectiveness of the new material
Laboratory tests show that asphalt with the addition of recycled cigarette butts has a higher resistance to cracking under heavy traffic. The material also copes better with thermal shrinkage, i.e. deformations caused by low temperatures. The use of this technology allows the production of bitumen with a high content of recycled materials, which until now has often been associated with a deterioration in the parameters of the pavement.
Although the technology is in an early stage of development, its potential is assessed as high. The use of cigarette butts in road infrastructure solves two problems at once – the disposal of difficult waste and improving the durability of the surface.
Illustrative photo: pexels-peter-dyllong-2158803154-36591302
