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Waste Plastic as Partial Aggregate Replacement in Concrete: A Review of Mechanical, Durability and High-Temperature Performance
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This review pulls together existing studies on mixing shredded plastic waste into concrete instead of sand or gravel, finding that small amounts (about 5-15%) can actually make concrete stronger and more crack-resistant while helping keep plastic out of landfills and oceans. This matters for human health because reusing plastic waste this way locks it into solid concrete rather than letting it break down outdoors into microplastics that can contaminate water, soil, and eventually our food and bodies, though researchers note more testing is still needed on long-term safety and emissions before this becomes widespread practice.
Plastic waste has become an environmental problem because of its consumption, low biodegradability and accumulation in landfills and natural ecosystems. At the same time, infrastructure development is increasing the demand for natural aggregates used in concrete. This review examines the use of waste plastic as a partial replacement for fine or coarse aggregate and as discrete fibre, with particular emphasis on fresh properties, mechanical behaviour, durability and high-temperature performance. Published studies on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene and electronic plastic waste were assessed. The literature reports reduced workability and density because plastic particles are lightweight, irregular and hydrophobic. Mechanical performance depends on plastic type, particle geometry, surface condition and replacement percentage. Low or moderate additions can improve crack resistance, tensile behaviour, impact performance and, in some cases, compressive strength; however, excessive replacement weakens the interfacial transition zone and reduces stiffness and strength. Under elevated temperatures, plastic may soften or melt, creating pores that reduce residual strength but may also release vapour pressure and limit explosive spalling. Overall, replacement levels of approximately 5–15% appear most promising. Further work is required on long-term durability, emissions, microstructure, structural elements and standardised mix-design procedures.
More Papers Like This
Waste Plastic as Partial Aggregate Replacement in Concrete: A Review of Mechanical, Durability and High-Temperature Performance
AI summary Read the abstract
This review of existing studies finds that mixing small amounts of waste plastic (about 5-15%) into concrete can help solve two problems at once: reducing plastic waste in landfills and cutting demand for mined sand and gravel. While this doesn't directly address microplastic exposure in food or water, it offers a way to lock plastic waste into durable building material instead of letting it break down in the environment.
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.
Mechanical Characteristics of Concrete with Partial Replacement of Sand by Waste PET Bottle Fibers
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Researchers found that mixing small amounts of shredded plastic water bottles (2-2.5%) into concrete actually made it stronger, offering a clever way to reuse plastic waste instead of sending it to landfills. While this isn't directly about human health, it matters because it could reduce plastic pollution buildup in our environment—one path toward tackling the growing problem of plastic waste that eventually breaks down into microplastics found in our water, food, and even our bodies.
Influence of replacing aggregates by recycled waste plastic on the mechanical properties of concrete: A review
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This review examines how incorporating recycled plastic aggregates into high-strength concrete affects its physical and mechanical properties, finding that while compressive strength decreases, concrete with recycled plastic remains viable for many engineering applications and offers benefits such as enhanced energy absorption and sulfuric acid resistance.
Development of Sustainable Concrete using Treated Waste Plastic as Fine Aggregate
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Researchers tested concrete made by replacing some sand with chemically treated shredded plastic. Mixing in 5% plastic kept the concrete nearly as strong as normal concrete, while higher amounts made it weaker and harder to work with, suggesting small amounts of treated waste plastic could be used in construction.
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