What is it about?
Plastic waste accumulation in the environment due to huge volumes of plastic waste produced daily with no effective disposal method and waste management have raised public awareness to look for an alternative to replace the current disposal techniques. Waste utilisation or plastic recycling has been regarded as an excellent method to reduce the abundant amount of plastic waste as well as minimising the environmental impacts. In this article, a total of 163 previous studies between 2012 and 2021 had been reviewed to discuss the utilisation of different types of plastic waste as aggregate in construction materials. This paper evaluates on the use of plastic as aggregate in terms of the physical, mechanical and durability properties of the construction materials as well as the environmental and cost analyses. It was found that the mechanical and durability properties of produced materials were altered after the addition of plastic as aggregates; however, the materials are still fulfilling the requirement of construction materials. Besides, a general SWOT analysis to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of plastic waste utilisation was also conducted.
Featured Image
Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash
Why is it important?
• Plastic waste is potential to replace the natural aggregate at specific percentages. • Materials are fulfilling the standard requirement even after the addition of plastic. • Plastic addition improves the durability and mechanical properties of the materials. • Plastic waste utilisation provides benefits to the society, economy and environment. • Future exploration is required to examine other perspectives of plastic waste utilisation.
Perspectives
Tackles a growing crisis – Addresses the urgent issue of escalating plastic waste with limited disposal and management options. Explores practical solutions – Reviews 163 studies on reusing plastic waste as aggregates in construction materials. Balances performance and sustainability – Evaluates physical, mechanical, durability, environmental, and cost aspects of plastic-based construction. Provides strategic insights – Includes a SWOT analysis to guide future applications and research directions. Promotes circular economy – Shows how waste plastics can be turned into valuable resources, reducing environmental impact.
Associate Professor Dr Chuck Chuan Ng
Xiamen University Malaysia
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Utilisation of plastic waste as aggregate in construction materials: A review, Construction and Building Materials, August 2021, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123669.
You can read the full text:
Resources
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
