Recycling plastic waste into fiberglass formwork: a durable, sustainable, and cost-effective construction solution

Plastic waste management, a matter for the 'community'.

Since the Chinese government prohibited the import of plastic waste, it has encouraged the Japanese government to increase the domestic processing of plastic waste. In 2018, among the highest rates worldwide, Japan successfully recycled up to 84 percent of all plastic collected. Although some efforts have been made by the Indonesian government to collect plastics, the overall performance of plastic recycling is unknown due to the failure to integrate informal sector recycling actors’ activities with the government and community activities in the formal sector. This limited information on the generation and management of plastic waste is a gap that needs to be addressed. This study was conducted using a qualitative descriptive method through an article review. The article review was conducted on several scientific articles on post-consumer plastic waste management policies in Japan and Indonesia. In general, plastic recycling activities in Japan are more formalized in terms of collecting and recycling through a special organization founded by the Japanese government, namely the Japan Containers and Packaging Recycling Association (JCPRA). The JCPRA helps the Japanese government to provide more detailed documented data on policy development and technical management of plastic waste. One that can be applied by Indonesia is to form an organization similar to JCPRA in Japan to become an operator in managing the plastic materials flow and plastic waste recycling in Indonesia so that Indonesia can provide valid information on plastic waste generation and management to develop plastic waste management strategies to control plastic waste pollution in the environment.

Objective: This study was conducted to describe the current situation of plastic waste generation and learn the opportunities and challenges in plastic waste management at Son Tay General Hospital in 2022. Research subjects and methods: The research design was a cross-sectional combination of qualitative. Research and applied data collection method using a structured questionnaire combined retrospective, records, books, and reports. In-depth interviews with staff working on hospital plastic waste management. Results: The volume of plastic waste generated at Son Tay General Hospital in 2022 compared to the total amount of medical waste generated at the hospital was 11,168kg, including infectious plastic waste generated 10,320kg (22.8%), non-infectious hazardous plastic waste 25kg (14.12%), recycled plastic waste of 823kg, including 735kg of recycled plastic waste from professional activities (28%) and recycled plastic waste from daily activities 88kg (0.05%). The total volume of recycled waste at Son Tay General Hospital in 2022 was 2714kg including recycled plastic waste (823kg) and waste other than plastic products (1891kg). The 823kg of recycled waste including fluid bottles was 600kg/year (22.1%), plastic cans were 135kg/year (4.98%) and household plastic accounted for 88kg/year (3.24%). Conclusion: The proportion of plastic waste compared to total medical waste is significant. Among the types of plastic waste generated, infectious plastic waste accounted for the highest proportion, followed by recycled plastic waste, non-infectious hazardous plastic waste, and regular plastic waste. Keywords: plastic waste, Son Tay General Hospital, waste.

The impacts of plastics’ life cycle

The increasing accumulation of plastic waste poses serious environmental threats, prompting researchers to explore innovative reuse strategies. This study investigates the feasibility and performance of using recycled plastic waste as a partial replacement for bitumen in flexible pavement construction. Modified bituminous mixes were developed with varying percentages (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%) of shredded low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Comprehensive laboratory testing—Marshall Stability, Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS), Rutting Resistance, and Moisture Susceptibility—was conducted to evaluate performance. Additionally, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was carried out to quantify environmental benefits. Results indicated that a 10% plastic addition offered optimal mechanical performance, reducing deformation and increasing load-bearing capacity, while significantly lowering CO₂-equivalent emissions. This research provides a sustainable solution for both pavement durability and plastic waste management, aligning with global circular economy goals. Highlights A systematic study was conducted on bituminous mixes modified with LDPE and HDPE plastic waste. Mechanical properties, including Marshall Stability and Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS), improved significantly at 10% plastic content. Volumetric analysis revealed better compaction, reduced air voids, and increased VFB, enhancing durability. Modified mixes showed a 48% reduction in rutting depth and a peak TSR value of 90%, indicating superior resistance to moisture damage. An optimal plastic content of 10% was identified for balancing stiffness, flexibility, and environmental performance. The study contributes to sustainable pavement construction by integrating performance data with life cycle assessment (LCA). Waste plastic reuse in asphalt offers a dual benefit of improved pavement life and reduced plastic pollution. Keywords: Plastic Waste; Modified Bitumen; Sustainable Pavement; Marshall Stability; Life Cycle Assessment; Flexible Pavement; HDPE; LDPE.

Charting success for the Plastics Treaty

ABSTRACTThis study focuses on plastic waste and the need for a circular economy approach to reduce its exploitation. The aim of the study is to explore alternative future scenarios for implementing a circular business ecosystem for plastic products or waste. The research uses scenario planning to address the uncertainty surrounding sustainability aspects. We conduct multiple interviews with individuals involved in plastic waste collection, recycling, and reduction. The study also creates personas through cluster analysis of questionnaire responses from 1000 respondents in six Indonesian regions. The research identifies four personas: the pure eco‐consumer, the market‐rational eco‐consumer, the exploitative consumer, and the eco‐consumer pragmatist. We use these personas to shape future scenarios for the circular business ecosystem, with a focus on consumer or community conditions. The research presents four scenarios for the future of plastic waste management: reducing plastic waste through a reuse model, recycling plastic waste for new material sources, recovering energy from plastic waste, and a throw‐away society. The findings emphasize the importance of safe working conditions and fair wages for waste workers, and they suggest that the private sector can contribute by formalizing public waste facilities. Policymakers and business initiators can use the research findings to develop policies and strategies that encourage the adoption of a circular economy business ecosystem for plastic waste management.

In Indonesia, plastic constitutes the second largest component of municipal solid waste; however, 58% remains uncollected. Most plastic recycling depends on informal sectors, accounting for only 10% of the total, leaving the remainder to potentially harm the environment. This paper analyzes how cities in Indonesia have tackled their plastic waste problems from the perspective of the integrated sustainable waste management framework. This study focuses on plastic waste management (PWM) in three cities: Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Magelang. Data were collected from 41 semi-structured interviews, a plastic waste composition data analysis, and site visits. The research outcomes include a comprehensive analysis of stakeholder roles, plastic waste flow, plastic waste composition data, and various challenges in PWM. This study identifies three main stakeholders in collecting plastic wastes: the Department of Environment as the main local government body, community-based waste banks, and private waste management companies. Most recyclable plastic waste is recovered through waste banks and private collection services. In 2022, the predominant types of plastic waste in Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Magelang City were soft plastics, thick plastics, and hard plastics, respectively. The challenges for the PWM stem from various aspects in political, legal, and institutional; environmental; financial and technical; and socio-cultural spheres. Positive trends towards an integrated system are observed, although full integration has not yet been achieved. The research recommends a multi-stakeholder cooperative approach involving municipal authorities, waste banks, and private collectors, responsive to local conditions and emphasizing sustainability aspects throughout waste management stages for a sustainable resource recycling in developing countries.

Effective management of recyclable plastic waste is critical for environmental sustainability and economic viability. Blockchain technology has transformative potential in addressing the challenges of plastic waste management. Currently, the inefficiency of plastic recycling systems results in low recycling rates and significant environmental impacts due to poor sorting, contamination, and limited technology application. However, innovations such as chemical recycling, solvent-based techniques, and biotechnology offer promising advances in the management of plastic waste. Blockchain technology provides a transparent, decentralized ledger that enhances traceability and incentives through smart contracts, decentralized applications (DApps), and digital watermarks. These blockchain solutions can improve waste tracking, automate payments, and reward participants who recycle responsibly. Although significant investment in technology and education is required, integrating blockchain with the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analytics could revolutionize plastic waste management by creating transparent, efficient, and collaborative recycling ecosystems. Blockchain technology has immense potential to redefine the management of plastic waste and promote a sustainable, circular economy.

Global plastics waste is an issue of ever-increasing urgency. Marine plastic pollution is a particularly challenging issue, as plastics take decades to break down, and so do micro- and nanoparticles that affect marine ecosystems and the food web. The plastics pollution problem is magnified in developing countries where rising production and consumption coexist with underdeveloped waste treatment systems and large volumes of imported plastic waste. Plastic waste management has become a critical environmental and public health challenge in many developing countries and cities, including Ughelli in Delta State, Nigeria. This study presents a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of four key plastic waste mitigation strategies namely, a household waste segregation program, a plastic waste collection and recycling system, public awareness campaigns, and a deposit-refund scheme for plastic bottles and containers for implementation in Ughelli. Using a 0.5-year project timeframe and a 10% discount rate, the net present value (NPV) and cost-benefit ratios were calculated for each strategy. The results indicate that the plastic waste collection and recycling system had the highest NPV of ₦112,500,000 and a cost-benefit ratio of 1.50, suggesting it is the most financially viable option. The household waste segregation program had an NPV of ₦80,000,000 and a cost-benefit ratio of 1.35, also demonstrating strong economic feasibility. The public awareness campaigns and deposit-refund scheme had lower but still positive NPV values of ₦52,500,000 and ₦25,000,000 respectively, with cost-benefit ratios of 1.28 and 1.08. These findings provide valuable insights to policymakers and waste management authorities in Ughelli on prioritizing investments in sustainable plastic waste mitigation based on financial and economic considerations. It recommends greater external financial and technical support for waste treatment, stakeholder consensus and awareness-building, regulatory policies that reduce the price and convenience differentials between plastics and substitute materials, and a push towards enforcement of environmental regulations.

Research results showed that plastic waste in Vietnam arises from many different sources; The total amount of plastic waste in Vietnam is 3.27 million tons/year, accounting for about 8-12% of household solid waste and about 5% of medical waste; The treatment and recycling of plastic waste is still limited, up to 90% of plastic waste is burned, buried or discharged into the environment, only about 10% of plastic waste is recycled. To reduce plastic waste, it is necessary to raise awareness and and community responsibility in the production, distribution, use of plastic products and in the collection and classification, recycling and treatment of plastic waste. Propaganda solutions need to be implemented in many different forms, suitable for each audience. Propaganda activities must have long-term, clear, focused, and scripted strategies and campaigns to orient the community and help the community understand the harmful effects of plastic and microplastic waste, thereby changing consumption habits (refuse and minimize the use of plastic bags and single-use plastic products at the workplace and in entertainment services, restaurants, hotels, markets, supermarkets, conferences, seminars, meetings and holidays, anniversaries and other events); Encourage the use of recycled, environmentally friendly products to replace toxic plastic products.

In today’s world, the management of plastic waste is the biggest environmental challenge. Increased production of plastic solid waste (PSW) materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE), nylon, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), etc., are creating new challenges to researchers and also encouraging new areas of research. Landfilling of PSW is one of the ancient methods of managing the plastic waste but it produces methane gas which causes global warming. So, recycling is the only way to reduce the PSW. This paper explains various separation and recycling techniques for PSW along with different techniques of additive manufacturing (AM) that can accommodate these waste materials to some extent.KeywordsPlastic solid wasteHigh-density polyethyleneAcrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)Polycarbonate (PC)Additive manufacturing

The arrival of refugees in a country increases the difficulty of managing plastic waste. The problem of recycling plastic waste remains a major challenge for the global community, especially in developing countries like Cameroon. This study examined the use of plastic waste by refugees to understand their knowledge of local plastic waste management. To do this, a socio-economic survey was carried out in the refugees' households. This survey provided an insight into the plastic waste management practice in the camp. The survey revealed that the refugees in Minawao do not have enough knowledge about the importance of plastic waste management. These refugees throw plastic waste in rivers, at the roadside or form a dustbin near the house. It has been noticed in the Minawao refugee camp that the harmful effects of plastic waste are beginning to be visible. The reduction of environmental pollution in this camp requires awareness raising and training of refugees on plastic waste management, promotion of sustainable plastic waste management technologies, and funding of plastic waste management projects. These measures should be the individual responsibility of each actor for a participatory management. The initiation of local projects in the manufacture of plastic paving stones and bricks can reduce the proliferation of plastic waste in nature. The action of local and international companies and the environmental policy of Cameroon are all necessary to prevent environmental disaster. These measures need to be extended to all towns bordering Minawao.

Waste is a problem that is quite difficult to solve in Indonesia. This happens because people's habits as consumers always produce waste, especially plastic waste. Plastic is a material consisting of inorganic substances made from chemicals that are difficult to decompose and are dangerous for the environment (Ekonomis et al., 2017). Garbage is an environmental problem because its quantity and danger hinder the survival of living things. Creativity is a pretty good solution for processing plastic waste so that it can be reused. There are many ways to increase a person's creativity, one of which is handicrafts from plastic waste which can be used for handicrafts, such as pencil cases, shopping bags, room decorations, wallets, decorative lamps, baskets, etc. (Nasution et al., 2019 ). The method of implementing this program is education and training so that children become creative. This program is implemented in the form of providing knowledge about plastic waste and training children's creativity in recycling plastic waste. Activities were carried out offline in the residential area, East Kace Village. This program aims to reduce plastic waste in the community as part of the waste recycling program. This plastic waste recycling program is also carried out for elementary school children up to adults. Implementation of plastic waste recycling education and training programs by utilizing plastic cup waste which takes place in the community, which lasts for one day according to group agreement. This program aims to increase the sense of awareness and creativity in children. Before carrying out the program, student members held discussions with foundation administrators regarding plastic cup waste in the community. After conducting discussions, it was shown that the plastic waste in the residential area was not being utilized properly, and knowledge about processing plastic waste into crafts was very minimal. In the implementation of the craft making program which took place in the East Kace Residential Area, it was running smoothly and well. This is because there is a lot of enthusiasm from the student children who take part, as well as friends who continue to be enthusiastic and never give up in implementing and running this program. The conclusion obtained from this program is the increase in knowledge and creativity of children in the environment regarding plastic cup waste. Children's creativity increases because they can process and create plastic waste around them into items that can be reused and also have economic value.

The advances in additive manufacturing (AM) help the recycling, redesign, and reuse of waste plastics, enabling circular economy supply chains and business ecosystems. Distributed Recycling through Additive Manufacturing (DRAM) is a technique for recycling waste plastics using mechanical processes for AM. Even though these integrated concepts enable a new path to recycle waste plastics, there are numerous barriers to their implementation, especially in developing economies. The ten barriers to implementing DRAM for waste plastic recycling were finalized through the use of a literature review and the Delphi technique. To determine the contextual relationship between the barriers, the Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) technique was used. A case study was carried out to investigate the barriers to implementing AM in plastic waste management in a developing economy. The interrelationship among barriers was investigated and barrier prioritization was performed. The findings from the case study reveal that the lack of flexibility to implement circular economy (CE) goals is one of the main barriers to implementing AM in plastic waste management. Findings from this study provide insights for industry practitioners and policymakers in developing a strategy to implement AM in plastic waste management.