Product Overview (Chapter) | COPAL Publishing Group

Dr Manjari Chakraborty | Dr Rizwan Kazmi

ISBN:

978-81-180058-1-0

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.67509/ceci5910

21. Utilizing Recycled Plastic Waste as Aggregate in Mortar for Sustainable Development

Circular Economy in the Construction Industry: Waste Management Practices

Debasis Sau | Tumpa Hazra | Amit Shiuly

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.67509/ceci5930

2026 | 337 pp.

The increasing use of plastics across different sectors has led to a substantial rise in plastic waste generation. This plastic waste persists in the environment for extended periods, eventually breaking down into microplastics (MPs) that can enter our food chain. Concurrently, the construction industry heavily relies on natural resources for aggregates, contributing to environmental issues such as air, water, and noise pollution. To address these challenges, this study explores the application of recycled plastic waste as aggregates in the construction sector. This approach aims to reduce plastic pollution while providing an alternative to natural aggregates. Specifically, recycled plastic-waste- based aggregate (RPWA) was used as a partial replacement of natural fine aggregate in mortar. To evaluate the performance of the mortar incorporating RPWA, several tests were conducted, including compressive strength, flow table, and water absorption tests. Furthermore, a life-cycle assessment (LCA) was performed to explore the environmental effects of mortar production, and a life-cycle cost assessment (LCCA) was conducted to analyze its economic viability. The findings suggest that incorporating RPWA in mortar contributes to sustainable development by reducing plastic waste generation and associated pollution. These suggestions provide a viable solution for both waste management and resource conservation in construction engineering.

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