RECYCLING PLASTIC WASTE PRODUCTS THROUGH INNOVATIVE DESIGN APPROACH. 

ABSTRACT

Plastic-waste and its associated pollution is a global environmental menace. Recycle and reuse in a sustainable approach is a welcome idea in the construction industry. Concrete is the most largely consumed material in the construction industry worldwide. The use of plastic waste in the manufacture of concrete can serve as a solution to the problem of pollution and global environmental menace. This study seeks to determine the applicability of recycled plastic waste in the manufacture of concrete for building construction and use as substitute for concrete aggregates in a bid to reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainable development. The research identified the recyclable plastic materials and report greener and less carbon emitting procedures of recycling and reusing these materials which were interpreted into applicable techniques in building construction. The study employed the use of case study reviews and graphical interpretation in presenting results. The study also presented architectural designs for a furniture factory proposing mix ratio 1:2:4 with recycled plastic (PET bottles) waste replacing 33% of rock aggregate. This is because this ratio gives the best concrete mix workability and also ensures compressive and tensile strength of the concrete is not compromised.    

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

1.0     INTRODUCTION

This chapter gives an insight to what the study is about and why it is being conducted. It also states the goal of the research and justifies the reason for undertaking it.

1.1       BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Pollution from plastic elements is a global environmental concern which poses health and environmental risks. Parker, 2019 mentioned that plastic pollution is most visible in developing

Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are often inefficient or nonexistent.

In recent decades, the production and consumption of plastics have increased owing to increasing applications that rely on the good properties of plastics such as their lightweight, strength, durability, affordability, corrosion resistance and low production costs (Li, Tse, & Fok, 2016). Between 1950 and 2015, about 8300 million Tons (Mt) of virgin plastics were produced across the globe, generating approximately 6300 Mt of plastic wastes, of which around 9% have been recycled, 12% incinerated, and 79% accumulated in landfills (Geyer, Jambeck, & Law, 2017). Nigeria generates an estimated 32 million tons of solid waste per year, one of the highest amounts in Africa. Of that figure, plastic constitutes 2.5 million tons. (Babayemi, Nnorom, Osibanjo, & Weber, 2019) noted that plastic wastes are hardly recycled in Nigeria with only 12% being recycled and about 80% ending up in landfills and dump sites. One of the century’s key challenges is to take a path to sustainable development in achieving a balance between present social and economic demands and the environmental needs of future generations.

The construction sector is facing a crucial stage in meeting three fundamental sustainability criteria; social, economic and environmental (Akbar & Liew, 2020). Concrete is the most extensively used resource in the construction sector that plays a significant role in providing a healthy and safe environment for the world population (Zhang, Sojobi, Kodur, & Liew, 2019).  At present, the annual cement production in the world is more than 4.4 billion tons, and this figure is expected to grow over 5.5 billion tons by the year 2050 (Lehne & Preston, 2018). This drastic increase in the use of concrete has caused not only severe environmental concerns but also resulted in high consumption of mineral resources together with the high volume of construction waste (Marinkovic, Dragas, Ignjatovic, & Tosic, 2017). The construction industry has been making efforts to mitigate its negative environmental impact through the acceptance of waste minimization and recycling concepts. To this end, research is conducted globally on the utilization of recycled plastic in the construction industry. Akbar & Liew, 2020 noted that the reuse of industrial byproducts and recycled materials in cement composites have grown traction in most developed countries.

Elzafraney, Soroushian, & Deru, 2005 conducted a research on recycled plastics which were used as coarse aggregates in concrete mixtures to alter and improve the thermal properties of a building. Results from the research showed that the concrete with recycled plastic elements had positive effects on the buildings heating and cooling loads and it also increased the buildings energy efficiency and comfort levels. The researchers termed this new concrete, Green Concrete.

(Suhendro, toward green concrete for better sustainable environmen, 2014) defined Green Concrete as any material that uses waste material in at least one of its components; or its production process does not lead to environmental destruction; or has a high performance and life cycle sustainability. Jin & Chen, 2013 defined green concrete as the concrete produced by utilizing alternative and or recycled waste materials to reduce energy consumption, environmental impact and natural resource use.

Liu, Yan, Li, Lan, & Gongfa, 2015 also conducted a research on recycled plastic concrete that used a variant plastic particle to replace up to 20% of fine aggregate sand in the production of green concrete. The result showed that the plastic content in the concrete increased its energy absorption capabilities. Using recycled plastic as aggregate in concrete production not only strikes as a sustainable solution to pollution from plastic waste but also as a tool for enhancing indoor thermal comfort levels and improving energy savings on a buildings cooling and heating loads.

1.2       PROBLEM STATEMENT

Plastic-waste and its associated pollution poses health risks to humans and also aquatic life when water bodies are used as dumps for plastic wastes. Their non-biodegradable nature poses an even more environmental hazard. The need for sustainable ways to recycle and reuse these materials is imperative. The impact of waste landfills and dumping sites are glaring. Water ways, sewages and city outskirts are overflowing with pollution from plastic elements. The increasing demand for and supply of concrete products begs for an innovative material that addresses and also improves concrete use. Green concrete serves as an attractive solution to those issues. By using recycled plastic in construction, the cost of construction can be cut down as plastic will be used instead of some aggregates of concrete. This will help the country in its bid to rid the country of plastic waste which as an added potential towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).

 

 

 

1.3       AIM

The aim of this study is to identify a sustainable process for recycling plastic waste products into usable construction materials in a bid to reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainable development.

 

1.4       OBJECTIVES

This research can be achieved through:

1. Study identification of these recyclable materials and sources which are in the context of plastic and concrete products ii. Study of greener and less carbon emitting procedures of processing these materials iii.          Translating the study into applicable techniques in building and furniture design/construction and iv.           Presenting the results in tables, charts and an architectural design

1.5       RESEARCH QUESTION

The study is set out to provide answers to the following questions:

1. What quantity of plastic is available for recycle and reuse in Abuja as a location?
2. What product will be obtained from recycling plastic waste?

• What is the effective ratio of plastic material to concrete aggregate in producing workable and lightweight concrete?

 

1.6       SCOPE

The research will only be limited to plastic waste materials generated and dumped within Abuja metropolis. Recycled plastic and reuse will be centered on production of concrete elements and furniture making. The study will employ the use of case study reviews, graphical interpretation in presenting results and also presentation of an architectural design.

RECYCLING PLASTIC WASTE PRODUCTS THROUGH INNOVATIVE DESIGN APPROACH. 

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