Utilization of Plastic Waste Polyethylene (PET) for reinforced subgrade

Fikri Faris,Afif Agri Diansyah,Roberth Evander Meidudga,J.T. Sri Sumantyo,D.R. Hizbaron,R.F. Putri,A. Cardenas Tristan,R. Che Omar,E. Haryono,Hary Christady Hardiyatmo,B. White

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202132504004

Abstract

Plastic waste is a serious problem for the survival of all creatures on Earth. Recycling is one solution to reduce the negative impact of environmental pollution caused by plastic waste. A lot of plastic waste that pollutes the Earth comes from plastic bottle waste (PET). There had been many studies that discussed the use of plastic bottle waste (PET); however, this research used the plastic bottle waste (PET) as a geocell for subgrade reinforcement. To this date, the use of plastic bottle waste as geocell is still rare. The main purpose of this study was to determine the effect of adding geocell of plastic bottle waste on the subgrade using a capping layer that had a low bearing capacity. This research was expected to reduce the impact of environmental pollution due to plastic bottle waste, and be an alternative solution for additional reinforcement in the capping layer. Therefore, it could increase the ultimate bearing capacity and reduce the thickness of the cover layer on subgrades that had a CBR value below 5%. The results of the analysis using the Plaxis program showed that the geocell from plastic bottle waste could be used to save the use of capping layer materials by up to 65%.

Highlights

Between 1950 and the present, about 6.3 billion tons of plastic waste have been generated worldwide
Previous studies on plastic waste that pollute the environment show that Indonesia is responsible for 15% of plastic waste in global waters [2]
Considering the enormous potential in the use of PETtype plastic, this study focused on the use of plastic bottle waste (PET) as a subgrade reinforcement

Summary

Introduction

Between 1950 and the present, about 6.3 billion tons of plastic waste have been generated worldwide. Plastic waste production reaches 380 million tons per year. The disposal of plastic into the environment has had a negative impact, one of which is on international waters [1]. Indonesia still has problems with waste management, second worst in the world after China. Previous studies on plastic waste that pollute the environment show that Indonesia is responsible for 15% of plastic waste in global waters [2]. One type of plastic waste that is widely circulated and hurts the environment is Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). This type of plastic is plastic with code 1. Its use as a primary material for packaging bottles reaches 30% of the world use [3]

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