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• SEA modified with rPE is sustainable, economic, and ecofriendly alternative. • rPE made SEA stiffer/elastic thus better resistance to rutting/fatigue cracking. • Addition of rPE to SEA improved elastic and viscous properties. This research evaluates the rheological properties of virgin asphalt and sulfur extended asphalt (SEA) modified with two types of recycled plastic waste (rPW). The investigated plastic wastes are the recycled low-density polyethylene (rLDPE) and recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE). It also assesses the environmental and economic benefits of recycling such materials. A total of 16 modified binder samples are produced by adding rLDPE and rHDPE modifiers to virgin asphalt and SEA in four different concentrations of 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% by weight of asphalt. The basic and rheological properties of the virgin and modified asphalts are explored by conventional tests, and advanced rheological tests at different aging conditions. Finally, cost-effectiveness and environmental analyses are conducted. The environmental benefit analysis is performed by comparing carbon and non-methyl volatile organic compound (NMVOC) emission from the various recycled polyethylene (rPE) with the manufacturing process of the same quantities of virgin LDPE and HDPE when used to modify asphalt. The effect of incorporating sulfur into virgin asphalt on the environment is also determined. Results show that modification yields a higher binder complex shear modulus (G*) and a lower loss tangent (tan δ) at all traffic speeds meaning improved rut resistance behavior under heavy traffic loading and high temperature conditions. About 29% reduction in material cost occurs when rPE-modified SEA is used instead of virgin asphalt. The environmental and economic analyses show that using SEA modified with rPE for road construction is an economic, sustainable, and ecological alternative with better performance compared to virgin asphalt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Recycled Plastic Waste (RPW) improved virgin (VA) & sulfur extended asphalt (SEA). • RPW made VA&SEA stiffer/elastic thus better resistance to rutting/fatigue cracking. • Addition of RPW to VA&SEA slowed the oxidation reactions of the binder. • Addition of RPW to VA&SEA made binder more suitable for wider range of temperature. • The modification effect of RPW on asphalt included chemical and physical processes. This study examines the effect of two different recycled plastic waste (RPW) which are high and low-density polyethylene (RHDPE and RLDPE) on the rheological/viscoelastic characteristics and aging performance of virgin asphalt and sulfur extended asphalt (SEA). Four dosages of the RPW additives representing 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% by weight of the asphalt binder were investigated. The rheological characteristics of the RPW modified binders (virgin and SEA) are characterized at original and short-term aging conditions through the Rotational Viscometer (RV) and dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) tests. Fatigue performance is also characterized at the long-term aging condition. Also, high-temperature performance, dynamic storage stability (DSS), multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) are studied. Testing results show that RPWs lead to improved rutting and fatigue performance. Adding RPW to the virgin and SEA binders slows the binder oxidation reactions during the short-term aging. The Aging Index (AI) is found to be dependent on the asphalt rheological properties, amount/type of RPW, binder type, and temperature. RHDPE leads to an unstable modified virgin asphalt. Less than 4% RHDPE or 8% RLDPE with virgin asphalt show good DSS in terms of degradation and separation. The RPW with SEA meets the requirement of time degradation and separation set by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The temperature susceptibility of asphalt binder decreases dramatically with the RPW modification making the asphalt binder more suitable for use at a wider range of temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]