We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Characteristics of Wall Panels From Thin Plastic Packaging Waste
Summary
Researchers turned hard-to-recycle plastic packaging waste (like chip bags and foil-lined wrappers) into wall panels for buildings, testing their strength and durability against industry standards. The panels passed most requirements for non-structural use, offering a promising way to keep low-value plastic trash out of landfills and oceans while reducing the environmental footprint of construction materials. This matters because less plastic waste sitting in the environment means less of it breaking down into microplastics that can end up in our water, food, and eventually our bodies.
Abstract - Plastic waste has increased following the spike in plastic use as a result of population growth in Indonesia. Approximately 61.37% (21.670 million tons) of plastic waste per year goes unreported, including 7.68 million tons of plastic waste which has a high level of urgency. Thin plastic packaging waste, which has low economic value, is a major contributor to environmental pollution. Meanwhile, the construction sector consumes substantial natural resources, highlighting the need for alternative sustainable materials. This study assesses the wall panels made from thin plastic packaging waste, including plastic bags, non-plastic-bags and non-aluminum plastics, and aluminum-laminated plastics. The research methods include literature study and laboratory testing, with production stages consisting of shredding, washing, drying, melting, and pressing using hot press and cold press machines. The panels were tested for density, moisture content, thickness swelling, Modulus of Rupture (MoR), Modulus of Elasticity (MoE), and tensile strength. The results indicated that MoR values of panels made from plastic bags, non-plastic bags and non-aluminum plastics, and aluminum-laminated plastics were 392.3; 338.231; and 227.323 kgf/cm², respectively. MoE values were 9,793.83; 14,664.19; and 9,942.72 kgf/cm², while tensile strength values were 1.95; 1.67; and 1.27 kgf/cm². Overall, the panels meet the minimum requirements of the Indonesian National Standard-INS 03-2105-2006, except for the MoE parameter, indicating their suitability as non-structural particle boards for sustainable construction.