Graduation Semester and Year
Summer 2025
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering
Department
Civil Engineering
First Advisor
MD Sahadat Hossain
Second Advisor
Xinbao Yu
Third Advisor
Nur Yazdani
Fourth Advisor
Muhammad N. Huda
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive assessment of municipal solid waste (MSW) and plastic waste characterization across Bangladesh, with a focus on circular economy opportunities and the long-term economic viability of plastic road. Using on-site waste characterization data for 13 major cities from four geographic zones of Bangladesh —Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast—the research identifies food waste as the dominant component of the national waste stream (67.3%), followed by plastic (12.4%), textiles (7.8%), and paper (4.7%). Among plastics, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) overwhelmingly dominates (89.7%), highlighting the continued prevalence of single-use flexible plastics.
A life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) was conducted comparing four road design alternatives, including three plastic-modified pavement options. The analysis revealed that roads using plastic-modified surfaces—especially in combination with conventional base layers—have nearly 50% lower lifecycle costs than conventional asphalt roads. Extensive sensitivity analyses confirm the economic resilience of plastic roads under varying inflation, discount rates, and material costs.
The study explores the possible demand scenario if the repairs needed for paved roads were to be addressed through construction of plastic road. The estimated formal collection of plastic waste in Bangladesh is 414,928 tons/year and among them 276,224 tons/year are landfilled. This plastic if diverted from landfill and utilized in plastic road technology for the repair needs of paved roads in Bangladesh can cover 100% surface repair needs and 7% base repair needs.
This research fills a critical data gap in national waste characterization, quantifies the environmental and economic potential of plastic recovery, and offers strong empirical support for integrating circular economy strategies into Bangladesh’s waste management and infrastructure planning. The findings are relevant to policymakers, municipal authorities, and development partners seeking scalable, low-carbon, and cost-effective solutions for sustainable urban development.
Keywords
Circular Economy, Sustainability, Plastic Waste, Life Cycle Cost Analysis, Sustainable Pavement, Waste Characteristics of Bangladesh
Disciplines
Civil Engineering
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Rahman, Md Lutfor, "ASSESSMENT OF THE FEASIBILITY OF UTILIZING PLASTIC WASTE IN INFRASTRUCTURE TO PROMOTE CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN BANGLADESH" (2025). Civil Engineering Dissertations. 522.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/civilengineering_dissertations/522