A study of the potential of non-economic plastic waste as a substitute for paving block to enhance domestic waste reduction.

Reduction of inorganic waste, especially plastic, has been widely carried out in Indonesia using a community-based principle known as a waste bank. The reduction is limited to plastic waste with economic value, such as plastic bottles. However, the reduction leaves much non-economic plastic waste in multi-layered plastic packaging, plastic bags, mica, and styrofoam. This study aimed to examine the potential of non-economic plastic waste to become paving blocks. The current study was conducted using five compositions of non-economic plastic waste of mica, multi-layered, and styrofoam, with aggregates to produce plastic-paving blocks. All experimental paving blocks were measured for their compressive strength and water absorption capacity by Indonesian National Standard No. 03-0691-1996. The results showed that the compressive strength value in the range of 4.879-6.513 MPa, where three of the compositions were mica: aggregate (60%:40%); multi-layered: aggregate (60%:40%); and multi-layered: styrofoam: aggregate (60%:20%:20%) approached the compressive strength of paving block grade D. All observed paving blocks have met the water absorption quality standards for paving blocks with a potential of 1.471-4.879%. This indicates that these compositions have the potential to be used as paving blocks. It also suggests that these compositions can effectively resist water damage, enhancing their potential for use in construction. Moreover, current research has confirmed that mica, multi-layered, and styrofoam waste have the potential to be used as a substitute for paving blocks, although further research is still needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]