Exploring Plastic Waste as a Viable Aggregate Alternative for Structural Concrete in the Indian Context

Over the past few years, there has been a notable surge in global plastic consumption, leading to the accumulation of substantial quantities of plastic waste. To tackle this issue, recycling plastic waste has emerged as a viable solution, with the potential to create new materials like concrete or mortar. This approach offers both economic and environmental advantages. Numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the performance of cement composites incorporating various forms of plastic waste as aggregate, filler, or fibre. This research paper explores the feasibility of using plastic waste as a substitute for environmentally friendly aggregates in concrete production. It investigates the mechanical and physical properties of concrete mixes containing different proportions of plastic waste as a replacement for traditional aggregates. Furthermore, the research demonstrates that utilizing plastic waste as an aggregate replacement can significantly reduce the demand for natural aggregates, thereby addressing the escalating problem of plastic waste management. The paper concludes that incorporating plastic waste as an alternative aggregate in concrete production can contribute to a more sustainable construction industry while effectively tackling the plastic waste issue. Moreover, this research has the potential to open up new avenues for the production of environmentally friendly concrete.