POSSIBILITIES OF MUNICIPAL WASTE RECOVERY IN GEOPOLYMERS: A STUDY

Abstract

Growth in the production of industrial, agricultural and municipal waste is among growing global problems and it has recently reached very worrying levels. Solid waste arising from human activities significantly contributes to environmental pollution. The effort of the whole society is therefore its ecological, energy and economic recovery Hence, one of the possible uses is the incorporation of solid waste into geopolymer composites which are considered to be green material when compared to conventional Portland concrete. Geopolymers are nowadays referred to as green materials of the future and they consist of aluminosilicates activated by alkaline elements. Municipal solid waste can be used as an aggregate, precursor, filler, reinforcement which can have a positive impact on mechanical, physical or chemical properties of geopolymers. Geopolymer composites containing municipal waste have potential of application in the areas of concrete, noise and refractory materials, catalyst, adsorbent and many others. The present paper is an overview of scientific studies and research focused on the recycling and recovery of solid municipal waste in geopolymer composites together with the impact on the change of properties and their possible use.