THE USE OF PLASTIC WASTE AS AN ADDITIONAL INGREDIENT IN

MAKING CONCRETE HOLLOW BLOCKS

ARNADO, CHARLES MELTHON M.

A RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO MS. ANGEL ROSE P. GAGAZA OF

DOLOGON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN FULFILLMENT OF

THE SUBJECT RESEARCH CAPSTONE

MAY 2023
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INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

In the current world, plastic is one of the materials that is most easily discarded. In

both urban and rural locations, it makes up a sizable portion of streetside litter. Many positive

traits of plastic include its adaptability, light weight, toughness, and resistance to chemicals,

water, and impacts. Moreover, it is chemically stable and heat resistant. It has been discussed

using this material for both the building's ceiling and outside walls. It has been proven that

the use of plastic bottles as innovative materials for building can be a proper solution for

replacement of conventional materials. The use of this material has been considered not only

for exterior walls but also for the ceiling of the building (Jalaluddin, 2017).

The growing accumulation of plastic wastes is one of the main environmental

challenges currently faced by modern societies. These wastes are considered a serious global

problem because of their effects on all forms of life. There is thus an urgent need to

demonstrate effective eco-environmental techniques to overcome the hazardous

environmental impacts of traditional disposal paths (Ali et al., 2021). In order to reduce

plastic waste to the landfill, recycling method is considered as another alternative to manage

plastic waste. Recycling plastic has proven difficult and it can be costly because of the

constraints on water contamination and inadequate separation prior to recycle that is labor

intensive. Separation is needed since plastics are made of different resin compound,

transparency and color (Sharuddin et al., 2016). Plastic recycling is the technical method of

recuperating scrap or waste plastic and recycling it into other useful product. As plastic is not

an eco-friendly material, recycling it for further use is essential so that it will contribute to the

global effort to save environment (Princy, 2020). An example of a product made from

recycling plastic waste is an eco-brick. Eco-bricks, also known as bottle bricks or

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plastic bottle bricks, are innovative and sustainable building blocks made by tightly packing

non-recyclable plastic waste into plastic bottles. The concept of eco-bricks aims to address

plastic waste pollution and promote recycling practices by repurposing plastic that would

otherwise end up in landfills or oceans (World Habitat, 2017). Another product of recycling

plastic waste similar to eco-bricks is an eco-hollow block. Eco-hollow blocks are typically

made from environmentally friendly materials such as recycled aggregates, fly ash, or other

industrial by-products. These materials help reduce the demand for virgin resources and

divert waste from landfills, contributing to a circular economy and waste reduction efforts

(Khalid et al., 2019). One key characteristic of eco-hollow blocks is their energy efficiency.

Many eco-hollow block formulations incorporate thermal insulation properties, helping to

improve the energy performance of buildings. This results in reduced energy consumption for

heating and cooling, leading to lower carbon emissions and improved sustainability (Jagadish

et al., 2018). Eco-hollow blocks can be used in various construction applications, including

walls, partitions, and other structural elements. They provide the opportunity to build

sustainable and energy-efficient structures, contributing to a greener built environment (Singh

& Siddique, 2021). Eco-friendly blocks are typically designed to be durable and long-lasting.

They can withstand various weather conditions and maintain their structural integrity over

time, reducing the need for frequent replacements (Babafemi et al., 2018).

There are some drawbacks to using eco-hollow blocks. Eco-hollow blocks may have

higher upfront costs compared to conventional blocks due to the use of specialized materials

or manufacturing processes. This can pose financial challenges, especially for projects with

budget constraints. Moreover, depending on the region and local supply chains, the

availability of eco-friendly blocks may be limited compared to traditional construction

materials, making it challenging to source them in some areas (Khalid et al., 2019).
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In this study, the main focus of the research is to examine the durability of eco-hollow

block by drop testing it, and this study will also compare the eco-hollow block to the ordinary

concrete hollow block.

Statement of the problem

This study generally aims to assess the use of plastic waste as an additional ingredient

in making concrete hollow blocks.

Specifically, it tries to answer the following questions:

1. How can an eco-hollow block be created as construction material to address the issue

of plastic waste problem?

2. How effective is the use of plastic waste as an additional ingredient in making

concrete hollow blocks?

3. How durable is the eco-hollow block compared to the standard concrete hollow

block?

Objectives of the study

This research paper seeks to achieve its general objectives about the use of plastic waste

as an additional ingredient in making concrete hollow blocks by focusing on the following

specific objectives:

1. to create an eco-hollow block as construction material to lessen the plastic waste

problems;

2. to determine the use of plastic waste as an effective additional ingredient in making

concrete hollow blocks; and

3. to compare the durability of eco-hollow block and standard concrete hollow blocks by

drop testing.
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Significance of the Study

This study may benefit the following:

Engineer. This will enable engineers and anyone working in the construction industry

to be innovative and environmentally responsible by using waste materials to make bricks for

buildings.

Construction Industry. This may help the construction industry to be able to adapt the

use of innovative and sustainable materials for building.

Future Researcher. Future researchers who may have similar ideas about the topic

may use this paper for further study.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This research will be conducted at Dologon National High School located at Purok-5

Dologon, Maramag, Bukidnon. This study limits its coverage to the study and application of

plastic waste as an additional ingredient in making eco-hollow block.

Definition of terms

Plastic. A material known for its adaptability, light weight, toughness, and resistance to

chemicals, water, and impacts. It is chemically stable and heat resistant, making it

suitable for various applications (Jalaluddin, 2017).

Plastic Waste. Refers to discarded plastic materials that are no longer needed or usable and

contribute to environmental pollution and negative impacts on ecosystems (Ali et al.,

2021).
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Recycling. The process of recovering and reusing waste materials, in this case, plastic, to

create new products or materials, reducing the consumption of resources and

minimizing environmental impacts (Sharuddin et al., 2016).

Eco-bricks. Also known as bottle bricks or plastic bottle bricks, they are building blocks

made by tightly packing non-recyclable plastic waste into plastic bottles. Eco-bricks aim to

address plastic waste pollution and promote recycling practices by repurposing plastic

that would otherwise end up in landfills or oceans (World Habitat, 2017).

Eco-hollow blocks. Building blocks made from environmentally friendly materials such as

recycled aggregates, fly ash, or other industrial by-products. They contribute to a

circular economy and waste reduction efforts by reducing the demand for virgin

resources and diverting waste from landfills (Khalid et al., 2019).

Energy Efficiency. The ability of a material or system to minimize energy consumption and

waste by efficiently utilizing energy resources. Eco-hollow blocks often incorporate

thermal insulation properties, leading to improved energy performance in buildings

(Jagadish et al., 2018).

Durability. The ability of a material or structure to withstand wear, weathering, and other

forms of degradation over time. Eco-hollow blocks are typically designed to be

durable and long-lasting (Babafemi et al., 2018).

Drop Testing. A method used to assess the impact resistance and durability of concrete

hollow blocks. This test involves subjecting the blocks to controlled drops or impacts

to simulate real-world scenarios and evaluate their ability to withstand forces and

potential damage (Architecture for Humanity, 2011).

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REVIEW LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Recycling Plastic Materials

Recycling is the practice of reusing discarded products to create new products and

materials. Energy recovery from waste materials is a common component of this idea. A

material's capacity to recapture the qualities it has in its initial state determines how

recyclable it is. Reusing plastic is preferable to recycling as it consumes lesser amounts of

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energy and resources (Siddique et al., 2008). In order to properly recycle plastics, it is

necessary to critically evaluate each stage of their life cycle, including the raw materials used

in their production, the manufacturing processes, the design and fabrication of the finished

products, any potential for reusing those items, and the overall disposal of waste.

Furthermore, recycling plastics for reuse saves energy compared with producing virgin

materials (Garcia and Robertson, 2017). Depending on the source, shape, and usability, the

various waste products, which can be either end-of-life or manufacturing waste, are the

feedstock of secondary processes. As a result, they are typically reduced in size to a more

acceptable shape and form, such as pellets, flakes, or powders. It is very important to

consider recycling and energy recovery methods in plastic manufacturing and converting

facilities (Salem et al., 2009).

Plastic Bottle Pollution

As the usage of plastic is widespread, so is plastic pollution. Plastic is a single term

that describes a complex reality that includes a wide range of polymers and additives with

various chemical and physical properties. Mismanaged waste is commonly defined as plastic

waste managed in a way that might include some leakage into the marine environment. This

includes waste entering non-sanitary landfills, dumpsites, or tipped/littered (Boucher and

Billard, 2019). The sustainability of our planet is increasingly threatened by plastic garbage.

The global response is already astounding in scope, with citizen activism, product bans at the

national level, public-private partnerships for infrastructure investment in waste disposal,

creative substitutes for plastic products that leak, and more trade transparency. Without such

considerations, we risk creating perverse outcomes from the transformational shifts needed to

address plastic pollution (Borrelle et al., 2020). The accumulation of plastic objects and

particles in the environment has a negative impact on people, wildlife, and their ecosystem.
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Recycled Plastic Bottles as Concrete Blocks

The difficulty of overflowing landfills and the effects of disposing of plastic water

bottles is being faced by the use of plastic water bottles, which is growing quickly. Using

plastic bottles inside hollow concrete blocks may be a solution to some of the stated

challenges (Safinia and Alkalbani, 2016). In recent years, long-lasting, multiple-trip plastic

packaging has grown more widely, taking the place of less resilient and single-trip

alternatives and reducing waste. Research findings on the use of recycled plastic in concrete

are presented. Properties of concrete covered are bulk density, air content, slump,

compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, impact resistance,

permeability, and abrasion resistance (Khatib et al., 2008). The consequence is that plastic

wastes, which have up to now caused social, environmental, and economic annoyances as

well as issues for health and safety in big cities, can be effectively used for sustainable

construction.

Plastic Bottle Eco Bricks

One of such materials with high durability capability and economic advantage in

recent construction materials innovations is eco-bricks which are produced with waste

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles (Edike et al., 2022). An eco-brick is a plastic bottle

that has been densely packed to a specified density with old, clean, and dry plastics or non-

biodegradable garbage. You may create eco-bricks out of any size transparent PET plastic

bottle. Eco-bricks are a component of a solution that allows people to do more than just clean

up their environment. Eco-brick is a PET bottle filled with clean and dry plastic waste that

can be used as a building block (Ali et al., 2020). Eco-Bricks seal the plastic in the bottle

preventing the build-up of toxic gases emitted during the degradation of the plastic, such as
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methane (Pokale et al., 2012). Eco-bricks make it possible to keep plastic out of the biosphere

and industry. The practice of eco-bricking serves as a gateway to regenerative living as well

as the path of plastic and petro-capitalism.

Concrete in construction

Sustainability is important to the well-being of our planet, continued growth of a

society, and human development. Concrete is one of the most widely used construction

materials in the world (Naik, 2008). Concrete is a composite material made by mixing

binding materials (cement or lime) with aggregates (sand, gravel, stone, brick chips, etc.),

water, admixtures, and other ingredients in precise proportions. The mixing proportions

determine the strength and quality of the product (Steffen, 2021). Building projects frequently

uses concrete as a material in construction. Given that it is a sustainable material utilized in

the construction sector, it is useful for creating structural projects like buildings and canals.

METHODOLOGY
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Research Design

This study will use an experimental research method that is designed to determine the

use of plastic waste is a good additional ingredient in making eco-hollow blocks and to

compare the eco-hollow block is more durable than the standard concrete hollow block. This

study will use quantitative approaches to obtain the data needed to identify the durability of

eco-hollow block. The quantitative process that will be used in gathering the data will only

include concrete hollow block drop testing. The results from the test will be considered a

helpful tool for the research study.

Entry Protocol

A letter will be sent to the Dologon National High School MRF (Materials Recovery

Facility) Facilitator Mrs. Melyza May Omamalin, requesting to allow the researcher’s request

to collect plastic wastes in the school’s MRF to be utilized in making Eco-Hollow Block and

another letter will be sent to the Dologon National High School  principal Dr. Rolisa T.

Benedicto, requesting the school principal to allow the researcher’s request to be approved of

using the school’s Covered Court to be part of the study where the study will be conducted.

Location of the Study

The study will be conducted at Dologon National High School, specifically in the

grade 12 senior high school high school building where the study will be conducted.
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Figure 1. Shows the location of Dologon National High School in Google Maps Satellite

View.

Figure 2. Shows the specific location of the school’s covered court where the study will be

conducted.

Materials Used in the Study

The tools to utilize to accomplish the study's objectives are crucial, and each tool

serves a specific, significant purpose. The aim of the study cannot be achieved in the absence

of the required materials.

The research material and description are indicated below:

Plastic waste. The major material for the prototype.

Cement. A cement is a binder, a chemical substance used for construction that sets, hardens,

and adheres to other materials to bind them together.

Sand and gravel. Sand and gravel are used for road construction, for mixing with asphalt, as

construction fill, and in the production of construction materials like concrete blocks, bricks,

and pipes.
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Hollow block molder. Hollow block molder is a tool that produces hollow blocks using

pressure and vibration to compress the concrete mortar into the molds and form the concrete

blocks.

Concrete hollow block. A concrete hollow block is a concrete block with hollow areas

between its walls. Hollow blocks are formed of the same materials as poured concrete walls

and are used to construct various sorts of walls for various purposes such as retaining walls,

decorative walls, classic walls, and so on. Ingredients include gravel, sand, Portland cement,

and water.

Data gathering procedure

Photo Documentation

Smartphone’s camera will be my major instrument to capture the area where the

research will be conducted. The process and the result on making the prototype for the study

will be captured and documented accordingly.

-Collection of plastic wastes

-Cutting the plastic wastes

-Mixing the cutted plastic waste in concrete

-Making the eco-hollow block

-Drying the eco-hollow block

-Eco hollow block drop testing

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-Drop test results

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

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