Plastic Bricks: A Waste Management Innovation

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Plastic is also one of the main concerns in waste management. The most common waste disposal method in Sto. Nino National High School is compost pitting. With the growing school population, the volume of solid waste continues to rise despite the school's efforts to regulate the amount of trash it disposes to the waste management system. This worsening problem has encouraged researchers to look for other ways to monitor and innovate the school's waste management for the benefit of the school and the community.

METHODS

Two methods were utilized to use plastic wrappers as an ingredient in brick production. The plastic wrappers were shredded. For the first set-up, a portion of the shredded plastics that were collected are liquefied and molded again. For the second set-up, partially liquefied plastic was allowed to harden and was pulverized. Some of the shredded plastics were used without undergoing the melting process. The crushed and the shredded plastics were individually mixed with binders and allowed to dry.

RESULTS

This study shows that shredded and melted plastics have great potential in brick production, particularly with plaster of Paris, which exhibited characteristics similar to the standard bricks in the market. Plastic can be utilized as either the main ingredient or an alternative aggregate in brick production Plastic could be liquefied, hardened and pulverized, shredded to be used in alternative brick production. Liquefied plastic wrappers can be molded purely, or mixed with a binder to produce bricks. Partially liquefied plastics that have hardened are also pulverized and can be bound by an adhesive (either cement or plaster). The same with the shredded plastic, when linked with plaster and cement, produces bricks alternatives. Brick products created from different variables and conditions can be utilized in specific purposes upon which these products are most suitable. The alternative bricks lessen the plastic wastes in the community and at the same time, have particular characteristics similar to standard brick used in construction.

DISCUSSIONS

The researchers concluded that used plastic could be utilized as either the main ingredient or an alternative aggregate in brick production. Plastic wrappers can either be melted then hardened to form bricks, making it the central part. It could also be pulverized once cooled after partial melting or shredded, making plastic an aggregate in brick production.