Innovative Use of Household Plastic Waste in the Production of Paving Slabs: Results of An Experiment

Abstract

Plastic waste is discarded after its useful life and becomes part of the global solid waste disposal problem. Its use in the construction of paving slabs to reduce waste and primary material consumption and associated impacts is gaining significant interest in the infrastructure industry. Road paving is under increasing public pressure to mitigate the negative impact on the environment. In this connection, there is a need for a meaningful method of recycling plastic waste. This research examines the economic, environmental and other benefits of using plastic waste in the construction of sidewalks. Plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, low-density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene were studied. It employed a survey of published literature as a research methodology, searched through Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science and Research Gate. The results show the feasibility of using plastic waste in the construction of road surfaces to promote environmental friendliness and economy. However, it requires technical modifications. Tests show that adding a small amount of plastic waste to a mixture of paving slabs leads to an increase in compressive strength and other important characteristics. The crystalline phase of polyethylene in paving tiles can improve moisture resistance and adhesion properties, as well as increase thermal performance without increasing costs. The use of plastic waste in the construction of paving slabs will lead to a decrease in landfills in Kazakhstan. The materials can be used on pavings for pedestrians, as well as for bicycles lanes. This can also contribute to improving the sustainability and quality of road construction.