Research Article Open Access

E-Waste Management by Utilization of E-Plastics in Concrete Mixture as Coarse Aggregate Replacement

Abstract

Utilization of waste materials and industrial by-products is a sustainable solution to environmental and ecological problems. Use of such materials makes their reutilization in cement, concrete and other construction materials, and also reduces the cost of cement and concrete manufacturing. Other indirect benefits include reduction in landfill cost, energy saving and reduction in solid waste. Electronic waste (e-waste) consists of discarded refrigerators, radios, TVs, Air conditioners, Mobile phones, computers and several other electronic gadgets that have reached their end of life or become obsolete. Efforts are being made in the construction industry to use nonbiodegradable components of e-waste as a partial replacement of the coarse or fine aggregates in concrete. This study focuses on the utilization of e-waste plastic particles in concrete and tests the feasibility of utilizing shredded e-plastic particles as partial replacement of coarse aggregate. It was observed that when e-plastic alone was used, there was a decrease in strength but when 10% fly ash was added results comparable to control specimen were obtained. It is thereby suggested that utilization of this e-waste in concrete will reduce the requirement for conventional coarse aggregates thereby resulting in conservation of natural resources.

Amiya Akram, C. Sasidhar, K. Mehraj Pasha