Scientists transform cigarette butts into additive that significantly improves road construction

Scientists have transformed cigarette butts into an additive that significantly improves road construction.

This is the outcome of a joint research project between the University of Granada in Spain and the University of Bologna in Italy.

Discarded cigarette butts contribute to a massive amount of waste.

So the news that they can be reused in a way to benefits all of us is great to hear.

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How cigarette butts can become an additive that improves road construction

Cigarette butts are a huge contributor to waste, with the World Health Organization estimating that roughly 4.5 trillion filters are discarded annually.

And that’s just the filter cigarettes.

Even though smoking is on the decline among young people thanks to e-cigarettes, the figure is still set to hit 9 trillion by the end of 2025.

The impact this has on the environment is devastating – it chokes waterways and violates otherwise beautiful landscapes.

Fortunately, scientists have been working hard on solutions.

The process begins with the University of Bologna’s Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering.

The team starts off by removing the organic ash and then crushing the remaining cellulose fibers and PLA plastic.

It’s then mixed with wax and undergoes a process of pressing, heating, and cold cutting until it resembles pellets.

This is where the University of Granada’s Building Engineering Laboratory (LabIC.UGR) steps in.

The team at the Spanish university mixed the pellets with hot bitumen in asphalt manufacturing.

The pellets melt, releasing the cellulose and plastic fibers.

This allows the fibers to reinforce the asphalt more resistant to cracks – aka a stronger road.

The benefits don’t end there.

With the added presence of the waxes, the manufacturing temperature is lower, so energy is saved and emissions are cut.

We love to hear about innovative solutions

You have to love scientists – they’re always coming up with solutions to problems.

And oftentimes, they come up with ideas that you would have never conceived of being possible.

Scientists in Texas came up with a solution for a problem that’s been plaguing EVs for decades, while others created EV batteries using the shells of crustaceans.

And it doesn’t end there – Singaporean scientists have even figured out a way to get electricity from raindrops!

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