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Development of a Non-Structural Prefabricated Panel Based on Construction and Demolition Waste for Sustainable Construction
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This study developed a prefabricated non-structural building panel by combining recycled microplastics with construction and demolition waste in mortar, finding that a 20% construction waste blend achieved compressive strength above 31 MPa and that panels with recycled materials showed up to 39 dB sound reduction and 21°C thermal improvement. The research demonstrates a practical pathway for diverting microplastic waste from the environment by incorporating it into building materials. Using microplastics as a construction input could help reduce both plastic pollution and the environmental footprint of the construction industry.
The study focuses on developing a prefabricated panel for non-structural purposes by optimizing mortar mix designs incorporating recycled microplastic (RMP) and construction demolition waste (CDW) at various ratios (0, 10, 20, 30, and 100%). Experimental procedures encompassed material characterization, mortar specimen manufacturing, compression resistance testing, and thermal/acoustic panel tests following Colombian technical standards. Results indicate that incorporating 20% CDW enhances material strength, with cylinder number 3 (20% of CDW) achieving a resistance of 31.45 MPa. Panels incorporating recyclable waste materials show improved acoustic and thermal insulation properties, with up to 39 dB reduction in sound transmission and a 21 °C decrease in thermal transmission observed (5.6% and 35% for panel and door, respectively). This research advances sustainable construction practices demonstrating the potential of prefabricated panels using recyclable materials, offering eco-friendly solutions with enhanced performance characteristics for construction applications.
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Development of a lightweight, eco-friendly self-compacting mortar based on polypropylene and limestone filler waste: Investigation of thermophysical and acoustic properties
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Researchers found a way to turn plastic waste into building material by mixing recycled plastic bits into concrete-like mortar, making it lighter and better at blocking heat and noise. This matters because it reuses plastic that would otherwise pile up in landfills, though the trade-off is a weaker, less sturdy material—so it's better suited for insulation than load-bearing walls. While this isn't a human health study, using waste plastic in solid, bonded building materials (rather than letting it break down into microplastics in nature) could be a smarter way to keep plastic out of our environment—and eventually, off our plates and out of our lungs.
Utilization of Plastic Waste and Construction Demolition Waste in Sustainable Brick and Tile Manufacturing
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Researchers turned plastic trash and construction rubble into bricks and tiles, finding they're strong, lightweight, and durable enough for building use. This matters because it offers a practical way to keep plastic waste out of landfills and nature—where it would otherwise break down into microplastics that contaminate soil, water, and eventually our food and bodies—while also cutting down on mining raw materials for construction.
Utilization Of Plastic Waste As Construction Material
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Researchers demonstrate that waste plastics such as polypropylene can be melted and repurposed as construction blocks, producing materials with sufficient compressive strength, heat resistance, and water resistance to serve as viable sustainable building materials.
Valorization of post-consumer plastic packaging into a composite material
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This study developed a composite building material from post-consumer mixed plastic packaging waste, providing a higher-value end use that diverts plastic from landfill. Using plastic waste in durable construction products reduces the amount available to degrade into microplastics in the environment.
Experimental Tests on Lightweight Cement Mortar and Concrete with Recycled Plastic Wastes
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This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it tests the mechanical properties of cement mortar and concrete incorporating recycled plastic waste granules as aggregate substitutes, a construction materials engineering study.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.