Performance of Various Forms of Plastic Waste as a Resource for Construction Material.

Plastics, often known as synthetic polymers, have become an essential workhorse element in the contemporary marketplace due to their availability in a wide range of forms and adaptability. Despite its many advantages, the present plastic business has problems that are becoming more obvious by the day. Between 2000 and 2019, global waste plastic production more than quadrupled to 460 million metric tonnes. Only 9% is recycled, 12% is burned, and the rest is disposed of in the waste stream. As per the Down to Earth 2018 figures, India consumes over 16.4 million metric tonnes of plastic. In that, single-use plastics are made up of nearly 43% and were disposed of in landfills. Recycling possibilities include converting waste into raw materials for industry, producing fuel, and using it as construction material. Since buildings are intended to last for several decades, adding such waste materials into them helps to extend their life. It is thus conceivable to reduce both the amount of plastic waste put in landfills and the amount of natural resources mined for the production of conventional materials. This comprehensive review intends to logically analyze the findings of numerous researchers who introduced waste plastic in various forms (flakes, fibers, pellets, granules, pellets, and molten forms) into different building materials. This article supports the discussion of using waste plastic for sustainable building by offering details regarding the physical, mechanical, and durability strength properties of building materials containing various forms of plastic waste. The review analysis indicates that adding plastic waste, regardless of shape or particle size, tends to reduce the workability and mechanical properties of the resulting material. However, introducing plastic particles in small amounts, such as 2%–20%, helps to obtain threshold strength properties. The study also suggests that the addition of smaller particles with irregular forms helps to obtain better results than larger particles with uniform shapes and smooth surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]