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Recycled polymer fibers in concrete: a sustainability-focused review of environmental benefits and challenges
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This review paper looked at studies using recycled plastic bottles and packaging as reinforcing fibers in concrete, finding this approach can cut energy use and carbon emissions by up to 85% compared to making new plastic fibers, while also keeping waste plastic out of landfills and oceans. This matters because it offers a practical way to reduce plastic pollution, but the researchers caution that more testing is needed before it's widely used in real buildings, and questions remain about whether tiny plastic particles could break off over time—a concern worth watching given ongoing research into microplastics and their potential health effects.
The growing demand for sustainable and low-carbon construction materials has intensified interest in incorporating waste-derived materials into cement-based systems. Among these alternatives, recycled polymer fibers (RPFs) obtained from post-consumer plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) have attracted increasing attention due to their potential to simultaneously mitigate plastic waste pollution and reduce the environmental footprint of concrete. This review critically evaluates recycled polymer fiber-reinforced concrete (RPFRC) from a sustainability perspective, with particular emphasis on environmental impacts rather than solely on mechanical performance enhancement. A comprehensive assessment of recent literature indicates that the use of recycled polymer fibers can substantially reduce environmental burdens associated with conventional fiber production. Life cycle assessment (LCA) studies report that recycled polymer fibers may reduce energy consumption by approximately 40%–85% and decrease global warming potential by 25%–75% compared with virgin polymer fibers. In addition, the incorporation of recycled fibers reduces demand for virgin raw materials and supports circular economy strategies in construction materials. Despite these advantages, the environmental performance of RPFRC is strongly influenced by factors such as fiber processing methods, transportation distances, substitution efficiency, and system boundaries considered in LCA studies. Furthermore, variability in recycled fiber properties, lack of standardized specifications, and limited large-scale field validation remain important barriers to practical implementation. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the environmental performance of RPFRC, identifies key research gaps, and outlines future directions to improve sustainability assessment frameworks and facilitate the broader adoption of recycled polymer fibers in concrete applications.
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Use of Plastic Waste in Concrete : A Comprehensive Review on Strength of Concrete Mixture with Different Material
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This review paper looks at how recycled plastic waste (like PET bottles) can be mixed into concrete for building construction, finding that the right amount can actually improve certain properties while reducing landfill waste. This matters because it offers a practical way to reuse plastic that would otherwise pollute the environment—though the paper focuses on construction benefits rather than directly studying whether this affects microplastic exposure or human health, so more research would be needed to confirm concrete made this way doesn't shed plastic particles over time.
Environmental and Cost Advantages of Using Polyethylene Terephthalate Fibre Reinforced Concrete with Fly Ash as a Partial Cement Replacement
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This study examined the environmental and cost benefits of using recycled PET plastic bottles as fiber reinforcement in concrete, combined with fly ash as a partial cement replacement. Repurposing plastic waste in construction materials could help reduce the volume of plastic entering the environment as microplastics.
Integrating Plastic Waste into Concrete: Sustainable Solutions for the Environment
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This review examines research on incorporating plastic waste into concrete as a partial replacement for conventional aggregates and cement. Researchers found that adding recycled plastic can reduce concrete density and improve thermal insulation properties, though it generally decreases compressive strength at higher replacement ratios. The study suggests that optimizing plastic content and treatment methods could make this approach a viable strategy for diverting plastic waste from landfills.
Use of Plastic Waste in Concrete : A Comprehensive Review on Strength of Concrete Mixture with Different Material
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This review paper looks at how recycled plastic waste (like plastic bottles) can be mixed into concrete for building construction, finding that small amounts can actually make concrete stronger and lighter while keeping plastic out of landfills. This matters for human health because reducing plastic waste means less of it breaking down into microplastics that end up in our soil, water, and eventually our bodies — though more research is needed to confirm plastic-infused concrete is safe and durable long-term before it's widely used.
Recycling Plastic Waste into Eco-Friendly Concrete: A State of the Art Review
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This review critically examines using plastic waste including PET and HDPE as aggregate in concrete, finding benefits including reduced density, improved thermal insulation, and potential to divert plastic from landfills. Technical challenges around maintaining compressive strength and workability, along with regulatory obstacles, remain barriers to large-scale adoption of plastic-enhanced concrete.
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