Stretching out across the peaceful waters of the River Tweed in
Peeblesshire, Scotland, the Dawyck Estate river crossing is an unlikely
record breaker.
Measuring 30 meters in length and made entirely out of waste plastic
products, the newly completed structure is the world's longest and
sturdiest recycled bridge.
Utilizing a super-strength composite plastic material -- engineered
by researchers at Rutgers University from items as common as plastic
bottles and household plastic waste -- the bridge caters for
pedestrians, cars and heavy goods vehicles.
The river span is one of five such structures now in existence,
although all others are smaller and based in the U.S., and can support
weights of up to 44 tons.
According to Vertech Composites, the British company behind the
project, the bridge is a prototype that has the potential to meet future
road and bridge requirements in an eco-friendly manner.
