Authors: Mohd Adil, Anshuman Singh, Gaurav Yadav, Dr. Praveen Yadav
Abstract: The increasing generation of plastic waste and the continuous extraction of natural aggregates have become major environmental concerns. The construction industry offers an opportunity to address these challenges by incorporating processed waste plastic into concrete as a partial replacement for natural coarse aggregates. This review paper examines the potential use of recycled plastic waste, particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP), in concrete production. The effects of plastic aggregate replacement on workability, density, compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, and durability are reviewed based on published research. The available literature generally indicates that incorporating plastic aggregates can reduce the density of concrete and contribute to waste management. However, increasing the replacement percentage may reduce mechanical strength because of the relatively low stiffness of plastic and inadequate bonding between plastic particles and the cement matrix. Some studies indicate that small replacement percentages can retain acceptable strength, while higher percentages may be more appropriate for non-structural and lightweight applications. The review also identifies research gaps related to long-term durability, fire resistance, environmental safety, and standardization of plastic aggregate processing. It is concluded that waste plastic can be a promising supplementary construction material when its properties, replacement level, and intended application are carefully evaluated
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