Transforming end-of-life fishing nets into solutions for sustainable infrastructure: A strategy for circular development

The inadequate management of end-of-life fishing nets generates serious environmental problems, affecting marine ecosystems and biodiversity. This study explores their reuse as modifiers in asphalt binders, promoting a circular economy model in road construction by improving recyclability. The results show that incorporating fishing nets (FN) increases the complex modulus (G∗), enhancing stiffness and resistance at high temperatures, particularly with 6% and 9% dosages. However, this increased stiffness may compromise fatigue resistance under cyclic loading and low temperatures. VECD simulation at 20 °C indicates that minimal FN incorporation reduces fatigue life by 40.61% at 5% strain. FN acts as a structural reinforcement, delaying damage in the binder and improving key properties such as flexibility and thermal resistance. Dosage adjustments and performance evaluations under real traffic and climatic conditions are necessary to optimize this technique to balance stiffness, elasticity, and durability. This approach reduces environmental impact and CO₂ emissions associated with road maintenance and represents an advancement in the valorization of waste from the fishing sector. The incorporation of end-of-life fishing nets (FN) in asphalt binders opens up new research opportunities in mixes with recycled materials. This strategy encourages the use of plastic waste, aligning with the principles of the circular economy and contributing to the reduction of the environmental impact on road infrastructure.