A critical investigation into the impact of multilayered packaging waste addition on compressive properties of PE/multilayered packaging paving block.

Multilayered packaging (MLP) waste is one of Indonesia's most plastic waste types. MLP have various composition, ranges from paper to plastics to metals, and short lifespan making their waste management became harder. Here we present an innovative method to recycle multilayered packaging waste as a paving block. This can assist in providing a recycling process options on reducing the negative impact of MLP waste to the environment. Shredded MLP waste is mixed with shredded polyethylene (PE) bag waste then the mixture is processed by the hot press at 240°C. Six formulas were used to mold the paving block, and the weight ratio of PE to MLP were varied from 0.33 to 3. Paving blocks were tested for their compression strength, according to ASTM D695, to investigate the effect of MLP addition on compressive properties and its compliance to the compressive requirement from SNI 03-0691-1996. According to ASTM D792 and SNI 03-0691-1996, the density and water absorption tests were conducted to support the investigation. MLP Increment increases the compression strength and influences the density. MLP can act as binder and filler, thus filling the void inside the paving block and increasing compression strength. From the obtained results it can be concluded that LDPE_MLP (75) paving block can follow the SNI minimum requirement, in term of compression strength (50.4 MPa) and water absorption (9.95%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]