Published Paper Details:

The rapid increase in electronic cigarette use has generated a new type of solid waste: discarded e-cigarette butts (E-CBs), which are predominantly plastic and contain toxic chemicals, posing significant environmental hazards. This study investigates an eco-friendly approach to recycling E-CBs in Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) pavements by converting their primary components, including cellulose fibres and polylactic acid (PLA), into engineered pelletized fibres (EPFs). The EPFs were incorporated into SMA mixtures, which were evaluated through key laboratory tests including Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS), Stiffness Modulus, and Rutting Resistance. SMA containing E-CB fibre pellets exhibited improved mechanical performance, with ITS increasing by 12% to 1.67 MPa, stiffness modulus reaching 3.85 kPa, and rutting resistance improving by 15% to 2.30 kPa compared to conventional cellulose fibre- reinforced SMA. These findings demonstrate that properly engineered E-CB fibres can function as effective and sustainable stabilizing additives, offering dual benefits of mitigating e-waste and enhancing the durability of asphalt pavements.