Eco-efficient bricks for sustainable urban plastic waste management

Abstract

Abstract: In developing countries, plastic packaging waste and the proliferation of cement plants have become real problems in terms of hygiene and public health. Common plastic packaging is produced by the petrochemical industry. It is essentially non-biodegradable and releases numerous toxic substances when heated or incinerated. In this study, building blocks were produced by incorporating waste plastic packaging (low density polyethylene) as a reinforcement in fired clay bricks. The incorporation into the raw clay matrix was carried out in proportions of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% of plastic, corresponding respectively to brick types Bcp0, Bcp1, Bcp2, Bcp3 and Bcp4, Bcp5. The Bcp4 bricks showed optimal physical properties (water absorption rate, apparent porosity, density, and compressive strength). The introduction of 4% plastic waste into the clay increased the compressive strength, decreased the water absorption rate, and significantly reduced the apparent porosity. The influence of firing temperature (T_f), firing time (t_f) and amount of mixing water (m_water) was investigated on Bcp0 and Bcp4 bricks. The better plastic incorporation for the operating parameters T_f = 200 °C, mwater = 20 g and t_f =.6 h. The study shows that it is possible to have eco-efficient brick production with low energy consumption.