In a country battling plastic pollution and infrastructure challenges, one man’s innovation has transformed waste into a valuable resource. Dr. Rajagopalan Vasudevan, a retired chemistry professor from Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, revolutionized road construction by developing a pioneering technique that uses shredded plastic waste to build durable, eco-friendly roads.
Introduced in 2002, Dr. Vasudevan’s method involves mixing finely shredded plastic with hot bitumen, creating a stronger bond and reducing the amount of bitumen required. This not only provides an efficient solution for disposing of non-recyclable plastic but also produces roads that are more weather-resistant, long-lasting, and cost-effective.
“Plastic is not a waste, it’s a resource,” Dr. Vasudevan often says — a statement that has come to define his life’s work.
His technique has been hailed as a double breakthrough — simultaneously addressing the menace of plastic waste and the need for more resilient roads in India’s diverse climatic conditions.
So far, over 100,000 kilometers of roads across India have been constructed using his method, including in at least 11 states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Himachal Pradesh. These roads have proven particularly effective in withstanding heavy rainfall and high temperatures, requiring significantly less maintenance than traditional asphalt surfaces.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to sustainable innovation, Dr. Vasudevan was awarded the Padma Shri — one of India’s highest civilian honors — in 2018. His work has since inspired engineers, environmentalists, and policymakers worldwide to explore similar eco-friendly construction techniques.
Environmental experts credit him with sparking a shift in how India manages its plastic waste, turning a major environmental challenge into an opportunity for innovation.
“Dr. Vasudevan showed us that sustainability isn’t about stopping progress — it’s about rethinking it,” said an official from India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Today, Dr. Vasudevan continues to promote green infrastructure and education on sustainable technologies, proving that science and creativity together can truly turn waste into wealth.
