We've celebrated an industry first at Mt Derrimut Road – the use of recycled soft plastics mixed with concrete to form the roof of the new Deer Park Station.
The dangerous and congested level crossing at Mt Derrimut Road is being removed via a rail bridge over the road and the construction of a brand-new, elevated Deer Park Station.
The project team, made up of McConnell Dowell, Arup, Mott MacDonald, Metro Trains and V/Line collaborated with Built Environs, Boral and Polyrok to produce a sustainable concrete mix that was poured in February to form the base of the new station’s green roof.
Made up of 10 kilograms per metres cubed of recycled plastic, it is estimated that 125,000 pieces of soft plastic have been recycled in the station roof instead of going to landfill.
It is the first time a concrete mix containing recycled soft plastics has been adopted for structural application.
Extensive laboratory testing of the soft plastic and concrete mix has been completed and it demonstrated there were no negative impacts on the strength or long-term durability of the concrete.
The use of supplementary cementitious material also reduced the carbon footprint of the concrete by up to 40 per cent when compared to typical cement concrete.
The use of soft plastics has heralded a new era by creating a suitable reuse market and providing the opportunity to adopt the method in a much greater variety of concrete structures.
Using Polyrok has also achieved a substantial milestone in accelerating the transition to more sustainable concrete and reducing the impact of soft plastics on the environment.
The new Deer Park Station opened to commuters on 24 April and when it is completed later this year it will feature two accessible elevated platforms, a bus interchange, modern facilities, landscaping and improved connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists.
The station precinct is the new frontier for sustainable infrastructure, maximising the use of recycled materials and renewable technology, setting a new precedent for best practice.
