Assessing the Feasibility of Using Waste Plastic as a Partial Replacement for Fine Aggregate in Cement Tile Production: An Experimental Study

The amount of concrete being used worldwide is increasing, and it is predicted that this trend will continue in the years to come. This results in the depletion of natural aggregate resources. On the other hand, the usage of plastic in everyday life is rapidly increasing, which is a worldwide environmental issue. On the flip side, this is happening despite the rising concern for its impact on the natural environment. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of incorporating waste plastic in the preparation of cement tiles. Cement tiles are an important flooring option in construction because they provide a durable and long-lasting surface that can withstand high traffic and heavy loads. The experiment involved conducting compressive strength and water absorption tests on the cement tiles, which were produced by replacing a portion of the fine aggregate with waste plastic at varying percentages of 10, 20, and 30 while keeping the water–cement ratio constant. The results indicate that the use of waste plastic as a partial replacement for fine aggregate significantly improves the compressive strength and reduces the water absorption of the cement tiles. The study finds that incorporating 10% waste plastic in cement tile production resulted in optimal properties. The use of waste plastic as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in cement tile production can be a sustainable solution for managing waste plastic while improving the properties of the final product.