Utilization of Waste Plastic in the Way of Synthetic Bricks

Abstract

Nowadays plastic waste is a hazardous problem for mortality. Plastic waste is non-biodegradable waste that cannot decompose and creates environmental pollution. There is a big question about circular economy and recycling after the usage of plastic and their sustainable management. Most of the research presented that plastic waste is double every decade. Usually, bricks are made of clay, and due to excessive use of the clay, it shows results in resource depletion and environmental degradation. The present study explores a critical review of valuable and eco-friendly ways to minimize the environmental impact of waste plastic. Therefore, plastic wastes are used to prepare the bricks. It is the most economical solution in the construction industry. For this work, masonry brick blocks with different batching proportion of traditional raw materials with plastic were casted. Sample A was prepared with different ratio of sand and plastic pulp while sample B was organized with different ratio of powdered sample A1) and cement. Then they were allowed to dehydrating to confirm free from moisture. This research was compared density, water absorption, compressive strength and flexural strength of the sample A, sample B, and locally available conventional brick.  According to the analysis the sample A1 was exhibited the peak value of compressive strength and flexural strength of 280 kg-cm^-2and 70 kg-cm^-2 respectively which is three times higher than the commercially available product in Sri Lanka. In addition to this, water absorption was revealed 1.23% which is six times lower than the sample brick and it was displayed an acceptable value of density (1872.45 kg^-3). So, sample A1 (1:1, plastic: sand) is highly recommended for construction purposes.