A review on the utilization of E-plastic waste in concrete production: a step towards sustainability

The rapid increase of E-Plastic Waste (EPW) attracted the attention of researchers to develop effective waste management and recycling strategies. One option is the utilization of EPW in concrete production. Several researchers focus on the utilization of EPW in concrete production and reported that EPW can be utilized in concrete production. Although this practice is beneficial in terms of waste disposal issues and preserving natural resources. However, practically it is not used due to lack of knowledge and standard guidelines. Therefore, more detailed research is required to explore the potential benefits of EPW utilization in concrete. The study aims to summarize the research carried out on EPW as a concrete ingredient. The review contains a general background, EPW production, and recycling rate. Furthermore, the physical and chemical properties of EPW, EPW impact on concrete fresh properties, mechanical properties, durability aspects, and microstructure are reviewed. Results indicate that the maximum EPW was produced by China and the recycling rate is only 16% which is quite low. Experimental studies show that EPW slightly decreased concrete performance due to poor bonding ability. However, it can be used in normal-strength concrete and promote sustainability. Furthermore, the performance of EPW concrete can be improved with the addition of secondary cementitious materials, but details research is recommended before applying it practically.