Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Performance of recycled Bakelite plastic waste as eco-friendly aggregate in the concrete beams

Researchers tested concrete mixtures containing recycled Bakelite plastic waste as a partial substitute for stone aggregate, finding that adding up to 10% Bakelite generally reduced strength but prevented sudden cracking during failure. While this offers a way to divert hard-to-recycle plastic from landfills — where it would otherwise slowly break down into microplastics — the strength trade-offs must be carefully managed in structural applications.

2023 Case Studies in Construction Materials 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Experimental Tests on Lightweight Cement Mortar and Concrete with Recycled Plastic Wastes

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.

2023 Buildings 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Laboratory Study of Physical and Thermal Properties of Concrete Mixed with Bakelite

This laboratory study tested the physical and thermal properties of concrete blocks made by partially replacing aggregate with Bakelite plastic waste. The research aims to find useful applications for waste plastic in construction materials, which could divert plastic from landfills and reduce environmental contamination.

2023 International Journal of Geomate 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Repurposing Single-Use Plastic Waste as Artificial Aggregates Partially Replacing the Natural Fine Aggregate in Concrete — A Review

This review examines how single-use plastic waste can be repurposed as aggregate material in concrete mixtures, replacing natural sand. Analyzing 135 studies, it finds that recycled plastic aggregates can affect concrete mechanical properties while diverting plastic waste from landfills and oceans.

2023 Materials Plus 1 citations
Article Tier 2

A Step towards Sustainable Concrete with Substitution of Plastic Waste in Concrete: Overview on Mechanical, Durability and Microstructure Analysis

This review evaluates the use of plastic waste as a substitute material in concrete, analyzing its effects on mechanical strength, durability, and microstructure to assess its viability as a sustainable construction approach.

2022 Crystals 174 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Systematic Review of Plastic Waste as Eco-Friendly Aggregate for Sustainable Construction

This systematic review examines how recycled plastic waste can be used as a substitute for traditional aggregates in concrete and construction materials. Using plastic waste in construction could divert it from landfills and waterways where it breaks down into microplastics. The review evaluates the structural performance and environmental benefits of incorporating plastic into building materials.

2022 International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering Technology 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Recycled Mixed Plastic Fine Aggregate in Cement Concrete

Cement concrete mixtures incorporating mixed post-consumer recycled plastic as fine aggregate were characterized, finding that an optimized blend of polymer types produced workable concrete with mechanical properties suitable for construction applications.

2024 Springer Proceedings in Materials
Article Tier 2

Characterization and toxicity assessment of industrial microplastics made of Bakelite

Researchers characterized and assessed the toxicity of Bakelite industrial microplastics, a historically overlooked plastic type, finding that these thermoset particles present distinct environmental concerns due to their extensive industrial use and previously uncharacterized ecological impact.

2022 Global NEST International Conference on Environmental Science & Technology
Review Tier 2

Can Microplastics (MPs) Replace Conventional Mineral Aggregates? A Brief Review

Could plastic waste be repurposed as a substitute for sand and gravel in concrete? This review examined the science and found that microplastics generally perform poorly as construction aggregates — weakening concrete, reducing durability, and posing a risk of releasing secondary microplastics over time. While some niche, non-structural applications might be feasible under controlled conditions, the authors caution against treating plastic-for-aggregate substitution as a general solution to plastic waste, as the trade-offs in building performance and environmental risk are significant.

2026 Polymers
Article Tier 2

A critical review of the current progress of plastic waste recycling technology in structural materials

Researchers reviewed technologies for recycling plastic waste into construction materials such as concrete and asphalt, finding this approach can meaningfully reduce the environmental burden of plastic pollution. Incorporating plastic waste into building materials offers a practical path toward both waste reduction and more sustainable construction.

2023 Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry 210 citations
Article Tier 2

Potential use of PET and PP as partial replacement of sand in structural concrete

Researchers tested whether PET and polypropylene plastic waste could partially replace sand in structural concrete, evaluating the physical and mechanical properties of the resulting material. Using post-consumer plastic in construction is one strategy for diverting plastic from the waste stream and preventing it from breaking down into environmental microplastics.

2021 Matéria (Rio de Janeiro) 5 citations
Article Tier 2

A brief review on polyvinyl chloride plastic as aggregate for construction materials

Researchers reviewed three decades of studies on using recycled PVC plastic waste as an aggregate in concrete and cement, examining how particle size, surface treatment, and mixing ratio affect the strength and durability of the resulting material. The review identifies practical strategies for incorporating PVC waste into construction, reducing plastic pollution while supporting sustainable building.

2023 Journal of Engineering and Applied Science 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of Plastic-Infused Concrete Bricks and Their Suitability for Interlocking: Mechanical, Durability, and Environmental Perspectives

Researchers tested plastic-infused concrete bricks as a way to repurpose plastic waste in construction materials, evaluating their mechanical strength and suitability for different building applications. The study explores whether incorporating plastic waste into durable materials can reduce the plastic entering the environment as microplastics.

2025 European Journal of Innovative Studies and Sustainability 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Recycling/reuse of plastic waste as construction material for sustainable development: a review

Researchers reviewed how waste plastic can be incorporated into construction materials — as binders, aggregates, or cement substitutes in bricks, tiles, concrete, and roads — finding that plastic-modified materials often show competitive strength properties while simultaneously diverting plastic waste from landfills.

2021 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 264 citations
Article Tier 2

Recycling of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Waste to Produce Plastic Bricks

This paper is not primarily about microplastics — it tests whether recycled PE and PP plastic pellets can replace conventional materials in construction bricks, with a focus on mechanical performance rather than pollution impacts.

2023 Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy Water and Environment Systems 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Mechanical and Microstructural Investigation of Geopolymer Concrete Incorporating Recycled Waste Plastic Aggregate

This study investigated incorporating recycled waste plastic aggregate into geopolymer concrete, finding that it can produce structurally viable construction materials while diverting plastic waste from landfill and reducing reliance on virgin aggregates.

2024 Materials 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluating the structural performance of waste PET-infused interlocking units versus traditional stone masonry

This study is not directly about microplastics — it evaluates the compressive strength and water absorption of interlocking bricks made from waste PET plastic as a partial cement replacement in construction.

2024 Engineering and Technology Journal 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigating the Use of Post-Consumer LDPE Waste and Stone Dust in Sustainable Concrete Composites

Researchers incorporated post-consumer LDPE plastic waste and stone dust into concrete mixes and found that these additions can maintain acceptable mechanical properties. Reusing plastic waste in construction materials diverts plastics from landfills and reduces their potential to fragment into environmental microplastics.

2023 Applied Research and Innovation 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Utilization of plastic waste as replacement of natural aggregates in sustainable concrete: effects on mechanical and durability properties

Researchers tested concrete made with recycled polyethylene and PET plastic aggregates substituted for natural sand and gravel, finding that while plastic additions reduced compressive strength and increased water permeability, they improved impact resistance and chloride resistance, with PET concrete showing no microplastic leaching.

2023 International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 66 citations
Article Tier 2

Utilization of Plastic Waste in Concrete Pavement

Researchers investigated the use of recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic waste as an aggregate in concrete pavement mix designs, finding that incorporation of HDPE improved mechanical performance and durability while reducing landfill waste and energy consumption in the concrete sector.

2025 Processes
Article Tier 2

Preparation of Waste PP/Fly Ash/Waste Stone Powder Composites and Evaluation of Their Mechanical Properties

Not relevant to microplastics — this paper examines the mechanical properties of composite materials made from recycled polypropylene combined with fly ash and stone powder for industrial construction applications.

2023 Materials 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Optimization of Asphalt Concrete Performance Using Waste Plastic Bottles (WPB) as a Sustainable Bitumen Modifier: A Comprehensive Rheological and Mechanical Assessment

Not relevant to microplastics — this study evaluates waste plastic bottles as a bitumen modifier to improve asphalt road performance, testing mechanical and thermal properties; it addresses plastic reuse in construction rather than environmental microplastic pollution.

2026 American Journal of Civil Engineering
Review Tier 2

Bakelite to microplastics contamination: A comprehensive review on microplastics sources, distribution and their characteristic existence in environment

This comprehensive review traced the history of plastic pollution from Bakelite in the early 20th century to today's microplastic contamination crisis, examining how plastic production growth has driven accumulation across global environments. It synthesized evidence on sources, transport pathways, and ecological impacts.

2024 Emerging contaminants 1 citations
Review Tier 2

Potential Applications of Different Forms of Recycled Plastics as Construction Materials—A Review

This review examined potential applications of different forms of recycled plastics (granules, powder, fiber, aggregate) as construction materials, identifying suitable recycling methodologies and construction products with performance benefits such as improved toughness and reduced weight.

2023 4 citations