South Sioux City has made state history by paving a 4,000‑foot stretch of Foundry Road near Siouxland Freedom Park using asphalt blended with two million recycled plastic bags .
The innovation came through a $500K Nebraska Environmental Trust grant and the combined efforts of UNL’s Engineering College, city officials, First Star Recycling, DOW Chemical Jebro, Barkley Asphalt, and Goodwill of the Great Plains .
Assistant Professor Jamilla Teixeira led testing to ensure the plastic-asphalt mixture resists cracking, rutting, and moisture damage . Materials also include 25% reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP)—a first step toward greener roads .
This pilot project is Nebraska’s first, but joins a global trend—Colorado, Wisconsin, India, and the Netherlands have successfully paved with plastic-asphalt .
City Administrator Lance Hedquist and Mayor Rod Koch highlighted its potential to lengthen road lifespan and tackle plastic waste: “you don’t see bags—they’re all ground up, but yeah, it’s pretty innovative” .
This model could be replicated across Al Benny Bicycle Trail, and beyond—a bold move toward sustainable infrastructure.
Want to see more? Watch this video from KOLN/KGIN Lincoln, NE.
