Utilization of Plastic Waste for Developing Composite Bricks and Enhancing Mechanical Properties: A Review on Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

The population increases demand for plastic in every sector along with single-use plastic rapidly increasing, but it still has a low recycling rate. The use of plastic in the form of brick is challenging and overall has a better impact on the ecosystem, economy, and industrial revolution. In this paper, a study has been done of the available research work on plastic bricks from different plastic waste materials. It discusses the processes used to make bricks from plastic waste materials, the possibility of contamination from the waste materials utilized, the lack of pertinent standards, and the public adoption of waste materials-based bricks. Furthermore, it focused on research and development required for the widespread production and use of bricks made from waste materials, not only in terms of technical, economic, and environmental considerations but also in terms of standardization, governmental policy, and public awareness of waste recycling and sustainable development. It has been observed from the study that PET has mostly recycled plastic with greater efficiency compared to other plastics. However, worldwide global production is followed by PE, PVC, and PP. PET has only 5% contribution to the global recycling of plastics.