Utilization of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Wastes in Construction Materials: Conventional and Foam Concretes

Plastic pollution is one of the problems of greatest concern of our times. Plastic has been used since around the year 1950. But, the convenience and usefulness of this material did not make the users think twice about its dark side. It is handy, cheap, lightweight, and of a durable nature helping in reaching every corner of the home as well as industrial sectors. Though different types of plastics have been used by mankind, the present chapter focuses on the utilization of only two common plastics, namely, polyethylene and polypropylene. These two plastics are widely used, and therefore their disposal is indeed a big challenge. To get rid of these plastic wastes, it is necessary to find a safe way to dispose of or reutilize them. We present here an overview of published research on the use of waste polyethylene and polypropylene in concrete, as it is the only analogous material that can be compared with plastics in terms of the life span. We also discuss how the properties of the concrete are affected by the addition of these plastics.