an asphaltic concrete or paving material includes at least 5 percent , and preferably from 5 to 20 percent , of granular recycled plastic , which supplements or replaces the rock aggregate component of the mixture . the material produces a structurally superior paving material and longer lived roadbed . the plastic may include any and all residual classes of recyclable plastic , including thermosetting plastics and other plastics having little to no current widespread utility . the material produces roadbeds of higher strength with less total asphalt thickness and having greater water impermeability , and is most useful for all layers below the surface layer . the recyclable plastic component of the material is preferably a mixture of all recyclable classes 3 through 7 , or of those materials from such classes from which potentially more valuable recyclable materials have been selectively removed . the paving product is preferably formed by a process of shredding or mechanically granulating used and industrial waste plastic to a no . 4 to 1 / 2 inch sieve size , and preferably to 1 / 4 inch to 3 / 8 inch granules . the granules are then treated with an energized activating medium such as a plasma or a reducing flame , to activate the surface of the granules , preferably without burning or melting the plastic . the activated treated granules are then added to the aggregate and mixed with the asphalt binder to produce the paving material . a slurry or sand mix of plastic and binder may also be applied over an aggregate layer , base layer or roadbed .