Innovative Utilization of Biomedical Waste: Surgical Gloves as a Sustainable Modifier for Bitumen in Road Construction

The disposal of biomedical waste, particularly used surgical gloves, poses significant environmental challenges due to its non-biodegradable nature and the growing volume generated by healthcare facilities.This study explores the innovative use of surgical gloves as a sustainable modifier for bitumen in road construction.The research employs three mixing methods-direct mixing, melting, and an optimized washing process-to integrate shredded gloves into bitumen effectively.Among these, the optimized method (180C, 2000 rpm, 15 minutes) yielded uniform mixing and demonstrated the most promising results.Modified bitumen samples were evaluated for physical and mechanical properties, including penetration, softening point, ductility, viscosity, and Marshall stability.Results indicated significant performance improvements, with penetration values reducing by 25% and softening points increasing by 18% at 6% glove content.Marshall stability improved by 20%, showcasing enhanced load-bearing capacity.These findings suggest that even used surgical gloves, after proper treatment, can be repurposed to enhance bitumen properties while addressing critical biomedical waste disposal issues.This study demonstrates a dual benefit-improved road material performance and a sustainable approach to waste management, paving the way for eco-friendly infrastructure development.