In 2025, Nebraska put two million plastic bags into a 4,000-foot road; it became the state’s first recycled-plastic road

Nebraska put the equivalent of two million plastic bags into a 4,000-foot road in 2025, creating the state’s first recycled-plastic road. The project in South Sioux City blended recycled plastic with asphalt and reclaimed pavement. Researchers will track how the road handles traffic, cracking, moisture and Nebraska’s changing weather. The pilot offers a practical way to reuse plastic waste while testing whether it can help build longer-lasting roads.