The Karakoram Highway in Pakistan. Photo:AFP

By Patryk Krych | The World Daily | SEPTEMBER 26th 2021

A new project that aims to re-carpet national roads under the “World Without Plastic” programme had recently launched its efforts in Pakistan, seeking to reuse plastic by using it in road construction material, worldwide.

In order to have a better effect on the world’s environment and hopefully reduce plastic pollution in such critical places as the ocean, the project uses recycled PET waste (bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate) for road construction, adding it to the circular plastic economy and reducing its overall negative impact.

This type of project is the first of its kind in Pakistan, which many are hoping will open up a door to potential further change in how the country manages its waste in future. The technology has been used before, globally, including in South Asia for a safer management of harmful plastics – it’s to be used in Pakistan for the first time.

“This idea provides a breakthrough solution to bring back plastic waste into the productive economy. And we also want to focus on building a community around the idea and the innovation itself,” said the VP and General Manager of Coca-Cola Pakistan-Afghanistan, Fahad Ashraf.

Capital Development Authority (CDA) and TeamUp / National Incubation Centre (NIC) had partnered up with Coca-Cola Pakistan and Afghanistan to help push the project forward in the country. The partnership was finalised in Islamabad at a signing ceremony.

“We believe in a clean and green Pakistan, but we also believe in working with each other to create results,” said Rana Shakeel Asghar Member of Finance & Environment CDA.

Roads that are re-carpeted with plastic in this way tend to last much longer than your average roads, and are said to be at least 51% stronger as well. Local introductions to the concept of plastic re-carpeting are a major part of the project, especially to countries and communities who are struggling with their pollutive plastic output.