Implementing industrial and agricultural waste materials to produce green concrete: a step towards sustainable construction

Abstract

Concrete manufacturing heavily depletes natural resources, posing serious environmental challenges. At the same time, vast amounts of global waste are growing increasingly harmful to ecosystems. Recently, construction experts have sought to produce “green” concrete by incorporating agricultural and industrial waste, aiming to reduce the sector’s substantial environmental impact. Cement production, in particular, is an energy-intensive process involving high-temperature chemical transformations that bind raw materials. Replacing Portland cement with industrial waste can reduce environmental damage and foster social, economic, and ecological benefits, all crucial for sustainable growth. Moreover, the extraction of aggregates—mainly sand and gravel—accelerates erosion in river deltas and coastal areas, impacting marine and riverine habitats. Using alternative materials and substitutes can mitigate these effects, supporting ethical construction practices that lessen environmental strain. This review compiles 100 scholarly studies on waste-based concrete, categorizing 70 as using industrial materials and 30 as using agricultural resources. The findings evaluate waste material effects on concrete’s density, tensile strength, flexural strength, compressive strength, durability and slump workability. Results indicate that different types of waste influence these properties uniquely, suggesting a nuanced approach to green concrete development based on material type.