Advancing Sustainability in Construction: Integrating Recycled Plastic Waste into Green Concrete
摘要
Rapid population growth and shifts in lifestyles have significantly increased plastic production and disposal, resulting in a major environmental challenge. The persistence of plastic waste, due to its non-biodegradable nature and large volume, has become a critical concern. Recycling plastic waste into valuable products offers a more sustainable solution compared to traditional disposal methods, effectively addressing waste management issues while also enhancing economic value. One promising approach is the use of green concrete, a sustainable composite material that incorporates natural and waste-derived substances as substitutes for conventional cement and aggregates, that may be a key contributor to carbon dioxide emissions and shows the great interest in developing green concrete using readily available natural and waste materials. This chapter explores studies on cement-based materials that integrate recycled plastic waste into concrete. It also examines the potential applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence in predicting the mechanical properties of plastic-infused concrete, such as workability; reduced density; and achieving compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths within acceptable limits. It is suggested that incorporating plastic waste into construction not only promotes sustainability but also helps to mitigate environmental pollution.