A Temple University researcher has developed a cement-like substance that could help with stormwater management while potentially keeping millions of plastic bottles out of landfills.
Naji Khoury, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Temple, uses a mixture of recyclable plastic bottles and soil to create “Plastisoil,” a trademarked product he describes as an impervious cementing agent. When mixed with course aggregate and heated, it produces what Khoury calls “porous Plastisoil,” which functions like pervious concrete and porous asphalt.
Khoury said that Plastisoil could help alleviate environmental problems created by stormwater run-off because stormwater can filter through it into the ground below. The material could be used to form sidewalks, bike/jogging paths, driveways and parking lots.
“We are currently testing the porous Plastisoil to see if could also remove or reduce pollutants like motor oil from the water as it filters through,” he said.