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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.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fresh and mechanical properties of M50 grade concrete incorporating chemically treated waste plastic as a partial replacement for fine aggregate. Due to the increasing accumulation of plastic waste and depletion of natural resources, the use of recycled plastic in concrete offers a sustainable solution for the construction industry. Waste plastic was collected, cleaned, powdered, shredded into 2–4 mm particles, and chemically treated using a 1–5% NaOH solution for 24 hours to improve bonding characteristics. Five concrete mixes were prepared: a control mix (0% plastic) and mixes containing 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% treated plastic as partial fine aggregate replacement by weight. Fresh concrete properties were evaluated using slump tests, while compressive strength tests were conducted at 3, 7, and 28 days of curing. The results showed that workability decreased with increasing plastic content due to the irregular shape and hydrophobic nature of plastic particles. However, the 5% replacement mix achieved satisfactory compressive strength with only a slight reduction compared to conventional concrete, while higher replacement levels caused gradual strength reduction. The NaOH treatment enhanced the surface roughness of the plastic, improving mechanical interlocking between plastic particles and cement paste. The study demonstrates that treated waste plastic can be successfully incorporated into sustainable concrete, reducing environmental pollution and conserving natural aggregates for eco-friendly construction applications.
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Researchers tested recycled plastic waste as a replacement for fine aggregate (sand) in concrete, mixing it in at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. Concrete with 10% plastic waste had the highest compressive strength, while plain concrete (0%) had the lowest, and strength declined slightly at 20% and 30%.
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Researchers partially replaced fine aggregate in concrete mixtures with processed PET and other waste plastic particles and found an optimal replacement level that preserved acceptable compressive and tensile strength while reducing density, beyond which plastic-to-cement bonding degraded mechanical performance, suggesting a viable route for incorporating plastic waste into lightweight non-structural construction.
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.
Valorization of Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate as a Partial Fine Aggregate Replacement in Concrete: An Experimental Assessment of Fresh and Hardened Properties
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Researchers tested using crushed waste plastic bottles (PET) in place of some sand in concrete. As more plastic was added, the concrete became less workable, lighter, and weaker, but mixes with up to 4% plastic still met standards for lightweight, non-structural building uses.
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Researchers found that mixing shredded plastic bottles into concrete, replacing some sand, actually made it stronger when used at the right amount (2%). This matters because it gives plastic waste a useful second life instead of it sitting in landfills or being burned, which releases toxic fumes harmful to human health.
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