From Waste to Wealth: Plastic Waste Becomes a New Driver of Income and Infrastructure

Raipur, March 2026: In a remarkable example of innovation, plastic waste is now being transformed into a valuable resource for building durable rural roads, turning waste into both income and infrastructure. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), roads are being constructed using plastic waste mixed with bitumen, making them stronger, longer-lasting, and environmentally friendly.

This innovative initiative has been implemented in Surguja district of Chhattisgarh under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), focusing on effective waste management and environmental conservation. As part of this effort, a pilot road project has been developed in the Mainpat region, where plastic waste is mixed with bitumen to construct roads.

In the Suvarpara plant located in Batouli development block, plastic waste is blended with aggregates and bitumen during road construction. The plastic waste used in this process is collected through waste management activities under the Swachh Bharat Mission. It is processed at the SRF (Solid Resource Facility) center in Darima and then purchased by the PMGSY department. Contractors involved in road construction are now actively using this processed plastic in their projects.

What was once considered a major environmental problem has now become a source of livelihood. Women working in self-help groups under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) are earning income by collecting and supplying plastic waste. Earlier, plastic waste fetched only ₹15–20 per kilogram in the market, but due to district administration efforts, it is now being purchased at ₹25 per kilogram for road construction, significantly boosting their earnings.

According to the Executive Engineer of PMGSY, plastic waste is currently being used as an innovative component in the bituminous layer of roads. About 8 percent plastic waste is mixed with bitumen based on its weight, enhancing the durability and service life of the roads. At present, plastic is being sourced from the district-level plastic processing unit in Darima and used in asphalt plants.

The Surguja Collector highlighted that plastic waste from the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) centers in the district has already been used in constructing a one-kilometer road in Mainpat, where around 500 kilograms of plastic waste was utilized. In the future, the administration plans to expand the use of plastic waste in road construction projects across the district.

This initiative not only addresses the challenge of plastic waste management but also promotes sustainable infrastructure development and creates new livelihood opportunities, setting an inspiring example of turning waste into wealth.