Sarawak uses nearly 400 kg of plastic waste to build its first green asphalt road

Sarawak has used nearly 400 kilograms of plastic waste collected across Malaysia to build a 100 metre stretch of green asphalt road at the Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) campus in Lawas. The project marked the state’s first institutional installation of recycled plastic based road technology, as per the Sarawak government.

The road was unveiled on August 25, 2025, during the inauguration of the CENTEXS Lawas campus. The pilot project was developed in collaboration with Janatek Resources and Renergy Bumi Hijau, a local green technology company.

How Sarawak Turned Plastic Waste Into 100 Metre Road

The project used nearly 400 kilograms of plastic waste collected from across Malaysia to produce a 100 metre long stretch of green asphalt within the CENTEXS Lawas campus.


As per Sarawak Tribune report, the process involved crushing the plastic into raw material and mixing it with bitumen and tar oil to construct the road.

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg had officiated the launch during the campus inauguration on Aug. 25, 2025. The government described CENTEXS Lawas as the first institution in Sarawak to be equipped with recycled plastic-based road technology.

How the Plastic Road Fits Sarawak’s Circular Economy Policy

The green asphalt project forms part of Sarawak’s Plastic Waste Management and Circular Economy Policy, which emphasizes recycling, waste reduction and extending the life cycle of materials as part of the state’s goal of achieving zero waste.

The project also involved local communities in collecting plastic waste. The Sarawak government said this approach was intended to promote environmental awareness and create additional income opportunities.

What Are the Benefits of Recycled Plastic Roads

The Sarawak government said recycled plastic-based road technology offers greater durability and lower long term maintenance costs while helping reduce plastic pollution.

These benefits were reported as part of the project announcement. The sources cited here do not provide comparative test results or measurements showing how much more durable the Lawas road is, how much maintenance it could save or how much plastic pollution it could prevent.

The project demonstrates one way plastic waste can be incorporated into road construction materials. However, the available reports do not provide long-term performance data for the Lawas road or establish how widely the technology will be adopted in Sarawak.

Sarawak’s First Institutional Project Using Recycled Plastic Road Technology

The Lawas project was presented as the first institutional installation of recycled plastic-based road technology in Sarawak. It was developed through collaboration between CENTEXS, Janatek Resources and Renergy Bumi Hijau.

The initiative is part of the state’s efforts to promote recycling, reduce waste and extend the useful life of materials through its circular economy policy. Its long-term performance and wider adoption will require evidence beyond the initial project announcement.