Inclusion of Different Plastic Wastes as Construction Material in Concrete–A Review

The aggravating global plastic waste crisis has made it imperative for many industries, including the construction industry, to prioritize the exploration of innovative ways to recycle and reuse plastic waste. The usage of plastics in concrete not only diverts this material from landfills and the environment but also offers a sustainable solution for the construction sector. This paper aims to discuss the recent research on the inclusion of plastic wastes in concrete that including the types of plastic waste used, their effects on the various properties in concrete and the environmental benefits. The plastic waste used in concrete includes polyethylene terephthalate, polysterene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene and polypropylene (PP) as partial replacements for coarse or fine aggregate in concrete mixtures. The addition of plastic waste to concrete has shown to enhance its mechanical and durability properties, as well as reduce the environmental impact associated with the disposal of plastic waste. The paper concludes that the addition of plastic waste in concrete has the potential to provide a sustainable solution to the problem of plastic waste disposal while contributing to the development of durable and high-performance concrete structures.