PLASTIC BRICK: A SUSTAINABLE AND ECO-FRIENDLY
ALTERNATIVE TO PAVER BRICKS
A Research Paper
Presented to the Research Committee of
Senior High School Department
UM Tagum College, Tagum City
In Partial Fulfilment of the
Requirements for the Senior High School Curriculum
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
For the subject Work Immersion
Lyca Estabas
Sherry Monique Cordero
Dv Evson Ledres
Ianna Lozano
Angelica May Lungtad
May 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter I: Introduction
Background of the Study..............................................................................................3
Statement of the Problem/Objectives and Hypothesis.................................................5
Significance of the Study............................................................................................. 5
Scope and Limitation................................................................................................... 6
Review of Related Literature....................................................................................... 7
Chapter II: Methodology
Materials and Equipment........................................................................................... 13
Treatment/General Procedure.................................................................................... 14
Chapter III: Results and Discussion
Findings......................................................................................................................17
Analysis of Data.........................................................................................................18
Chapter IV: Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclusion................................................................................................................. 19
Recommendations......................................................................................................20
Bibliography............................................................................................................. 21
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
The use of plastic is all around us. It's used in a lot of our furniture, clothes,
electronics, and food packaging. Natural materials used in production, such as paper,
glass, and cotton, have been supplanted by plastic over the previous few decades. We
are aware that the tremendous plastic contamination of our environment is a result of
the pervasive use of plastics. Plastics, though, affect more than simply the environment.
Prof. dr. Dick Vethaak, a toxicologist, noted that "we are dealing with a human health
concern as well." Due to this issue, converting plastics into bricks is the solution to
resource conservation, environmental protection, and pollution prevention by lowering
the requirement to gather fresh raw materials.
In India, the International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and
Development (IJTSRD) conducted a study about the utilization of plastic waste for
making plastic bricks. According to this study, plastic is the most dangerous problem
facing humanity. The objectives of this study are to develop an efficient way to utilize
waste plastic and effectively utilize it. So, their efficient way to solve the problem of
plastic waste is to add plastic waste to the bricks and create the bricks by using plastic
waste. They stated that turning plastic waste into bricks is the most economical and
environmentally friendly solution for plastic waste. The result of this study said that
waste plastic, which is available everywhere, may be put to effective use in brickmaking. Plastic bricks can help reduce environmental pollution, thereby making the
environment clean and healthy. Plastic bricks reduce the use of clay in making bricks.
Plastic bricks give customers an alternative option for bricks at affordable rates.
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Moreover, water absorption of plastic bricks is zero percent, and they conclude that
plastic bricks are useful when we compare them with Fly Ash bricks and 3rd class clay
bricks. (Kognole, R., Shipkule, K., Patil, M., Patil, L., & Survase, U. 2019)
In the Philippines, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in
Antique conducted a study about plastic waste, glass bottles, and paper as materials for
making bricks. The aim of this study is to examine the utilization of non-hazardous
wastes such as plastic, glass bottles, and paper in the production of an effective and
quality brick. With this, the researcher performed a compression test, a water
absorption test, an efflorescence test, and a hardness test. Specifically, the problem is
how to reduce the plastic waste, glass bottles, and paper produced by households,
schools, commercial, industrial, and other establishments. According to the researcher,
for a lot of people, the reduction of solid waste has been a challenge. Therefore,
utilizing solid wastes to make them eco-friendly and advantageous to use for bricks is
one way to reduce solid waste. As a result, all of the brick samples exceeded a
minimum of 500 psi (3.45 MPa) of pressure per ASTM C129 for each brick. This
investigation found that the specimens performed exceptionally well, but less than
twenty percent (20%) of water was gained. Moreover, the outcome revealed that, as
more plastic trash is generated, the amount of water absorbed declines. Furthermore,
all of the brick samples were rated as "slight" (less than 10%) immediately following
the efflorescence test. At last, there was a barely discernible mark on the brick, and
after using a standard nail to attach surfaces to the bricks, the hardness test was
completed. In conclusion, their study on making bricks from non-hazardous waste has
a large chance of being used as an alternative for making bricks as well as an efficient
remedy for the issue of minimizing the effect of solid waste. (Ursua, J. R. S. 2019).
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Plastics have an impact on our environment today. The goal of the research is
to discover substitute substances that can reduce and recycle trash. Bricks made from
plastic are a fantastic option for everyone. The purpose of this study is to determine
whether plastic is an effective alternative to traditional paver bricks materials.
Statement of the Problem/Objectives and Hypothesis
The problem that this capstone research aims to address is the growing need for
eco-friendly and sustainable materials. The use of traditional concrete bricks for pavers
in outdoor spaces is not environmentally sustainable as it contributes to plastic waste
and carbon emissions. This research seeks to develop a new, eco-friendly paver brick
made from recycled plastic that can serve as a sustainable alternative to traditional
pavers. To provide a solution to this, the study aims to:

To develop plastic bricks as a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete
pavers

To assess the economic feasibility of manufacturing and distributing plastic
bricks for pavers

To help reduce plastic waste by recycling
Plastic bricks can be a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional concrete
pavers for outdoor spaces. They can offer comparable mechanical and environmental
performance while being cost-effective and eco-friendly. Additionally, plastic waste
will also be reduced because of the use of this brick.
Significance of the Study
The study about using plastic as a material for making bricks is significant for
several reasons. Firstly, plastic waste is a growing environmental concern, with
millions of tons of plastic being discarded every year, leading to pollution of our
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oceans, landfills, and other natural habitats. Finding ways to repurpose plastic waste
can help reduce its negative impact on the environment.
Secondly, using plastic to make bricks has several potential benefits.
Compared to traditional brick-making methods, plastic bricks are lighter, stronger,
and more durable. They are also more resistant to weathering and corrosion, making
them suitable for a variety of applications. Additionally, the process of making plastic
bricks requires less energy and produces fewer emissions than traditional brickmaking methods.
Finally, using plastic to make bricks has economic benefits as well. By
repurposing plastic waste, the cost of raw materials for brick-making can be reduced,
leading to lower costs for construction projects. This could be particularly beneficial
in developing countries, where affordable and sustainable paving surfaces are often a
pressing need.
Overall, the study about using plastic as a material for making bricks has
significant environmental, economic, and practical implications. It has the potential to
reduce plastic waste, improve the quality and durability of building materials, and
lower the cost of construction, all while promoting sustainability and reducing the
impact of human activity on the environment.
Scope and Limitations
The study focuses on the effectiveness of plastic bricks as an alternative to
paver bricks. The researchers intend to gather data from the test that will be
performed, which will focus on the durability of the plastic bricks. However, due to a
lack of testing materials, the researchers characterized the durability of the plastic
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brick by loading it with heavy materials gradually. The material that will be used in
this research study is limited to only polyethylene terephthalate.
This research will not extend to the comparison of paver bricks and plastic
bricks. The cost of using plastic bricks and the price of paver bricks are related to the
study, but the researcher will not conduct such a comparison. Moreover, the plastic
bricks employed in this study are only acceptable for use as paver bricks and cannot
be used as a building material.
Review of Related Literature
Plastic is a highly common material these days because it is compact and light
in weight. Although plastic is a flexible, durable, and tough material that is immensely
useful, it pollutes the environment after usage because it is not biodegradable.
However, brick may make good use of waste plastic, which is readily available
everywhere. Plastic bricks can aid in reducing environmental pollutants, resulting in a
clean and healthy atmosphere. Bricks made of plastic provide an alternative brick at
affordable prices. Moreover, its water absorption is zero percent and under a
compressive stress of 96 KN; the plastic block has a compressive strength of 5.6
N/mm2, which makes it useful for the construction industry (Bhushaiah, Mohammad,
& Rao, 2019).
Brick is a fundamental building material that is frequently used for
construction. In the past, studies have mostly focused on the utilization of waste
materials as an alternative to the traditional brick material, which is dried clay. In the
current study, plastic bricks are made utilizing the physical recycling method from
thermoplastics such High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP). It
was interesting to note that the compressive strengths of the HDPE and PP bricks,
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which were 11.19 N/mm2 and 10.02 N/mm2, were in good accord with the 10.5
N/mm2 compressive strength of first-class conventional bricks. The study launches a
brand-new line of inquiry into the management of sustainable plastic trash (Kulkarni
et al., 2022)
Plastic garbage has recyclable qualities that can be used to recycle it and
create a new product with less of an adverse environmental impact. By combining
plastic trash with sand, it is possible to create plastic bricks that can be used in place
of traditional bricks. The fact that these bricks absorb significantly less water than
traditional bricks is important from the standpoint of environmental sustainability
(Kumar et al., 2021).
The creation of building materials that recycle various solid wastes is one of
the many waste reduction solutions that are gaining traction. One such creation is the
bottle brick. Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles materials used for
making bricks have been employed successfully in a number of nations worldwide.
This investigation examines the strength characteristics of used PET bottles that had
been used for alternative bricks. Waste PET bottle bricks of five different sizes (250,
500, 1250, 1500, and 2000ml) were evaluated for compressive strength; the largest
bricks provided a compressive value of 17.44MPa (Muyen, et al., 2016).
Two significant problems in Ghana are plastic pollution and high cement costs
for paving brick construction. In order to create durable and aesthetically pleasing
pavement blocks, this study suggests employing plastic waste (PW) as a binder.
Quarry dust (QD) was combined with waste polyethylene (low-density polyethylene
(LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) to create
plastic pavement bricks. The PW type and quantity in the PW/QD ratio had a
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substantial impact on the longevity of the pavement bricks, according to the Pearson
correlation coefficient, r. As a result, the environment received less plastic garbage,
and more attractive, sustainable pavement bricks was produced (Tulashie et al., 2022).
The compressive strength test results for 70% plastic content by weight of soil
with the binder(bitumen) content of 2% by weight of soil, it is noted that in place of
Poly-ethylene terephthalate (PET), if Polypropylene (PP) is used will result in high
strength (10N/mm2). Moreover, according to the water absorption test results of
plastic bricks, the water absorption also reduces as the amount of plastic component
rises. In solving the issue of safe plastic disposal, the successful use of waste plastic in
plastic bricks has also prevented widespread plastic littering. Also, the issue of how to
dispose of quarry debris has somewhat improved due to its use (Maneeth et al., 2014).
This study looks at how plastic garbage and bottle fragments are used to create
plastic bricks. Plastic apart from being one of the highly generated garbage is also one
of the most easily recyclable materials. This capacity to be recycled will be used to
recycle PET bottles into constructions that might potentially replace traditional bricks,
which are solely made of clay and sand.
Several ratios of sand and plastic were combined, and tests such those for
compressive strength, water absorption, efflorescence, and fire resistance were
conducted that proved the effectiveness of using plastic sand bricks (Chauhan et al.,
2019)
Compressive strength, water absorption, and efflorescence of bricks with
varied amounts of plastic were tested. It demonstrates that adding crush-type plastic
waste can significantly increase the performance of those materials. The compressive
strength of the bricks is assessed with an eye toward using plastic waste to create
9
sustainable building materials, and recommendations are made as a result of the study.
Yet, the water absorption and efflorescence performed quite well. Plastic bricks have
higher hardness, durability, low water absorption rate, and zero efflorescence, and are
an efficient source to reduce plastic waste, according to the results. (Wahid, Rawi, &
Desa, 2015).
Reusing plastic waste to make construction material seems to be an
environmentally friendly solution in the search for an efficient way to reduce plastic
waste. This is also due to the fact that conventional construction materials frequently
utilize a lot of energy during manufacture, which has a negative influence on the
environment. The utilization of plastic trash in building bricks could, in the future,
function as a sustainable source of building materials (Uvaraja et al., 2022).
Due to numerous industrial activities, plastic trash is generated at an alarming
rate and damaging the environment. Additionally, because plastic waste cannot
decompose, it is difficult to accumulate globally. Also, it has been noted that the use
of sustainable building materials promotes the effective utilization of wood industry
waste. In order to create unconventional bricks, the study combines PET waste with
wood fibers. The weight of PET trash in the two samples taken into consideration was
25% and 40%. The brick produced in this study that contained 25% weight of plastic
trash turned out to be the best of the two varieties (Maddodi et al., 2022).
This study looked into possible environmentally acceptable uses for plastic
and showed that plastic bricks were a good alternative to clay bricks for usage as
structural elements. Plastic was used as a binder to study the physical and mechanical
characteristics of bricks made of plastic in varied plastic ratios of 1:3, 1:4, and 1:5.
According to the study's findings, the strength of plastic bricks depends on the
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consistency of the mixture and rises when the ratio of plastic is increased from 1:3 to
1:4. The strength is shown to decrease with any change in the 1 to 4 ratio. Every brick
in every ratio displayed no water absorption and efflorescence (Sahani et al., 2022).
While the rate of explicit plastic waste recycling around the world is currently
quite slow, both the amount of city-generated plastic trash and the interest in
developing materials among enterprises engaged in development are rapidly growing.
The entire process of formation and block interaction is unsustainable and results in
ozone-damaging compounds. One fantastic method for creating reusable assets and
trash management is to use waste plastics as construction materials, especially when
making blocks and bricks. One of the most popular and traditional production
materials used for construction is brick (Chauhan, 2021).
This study sought to reduce the amount of plastic by turning it into
construction supplies. For this, plastic bricks were created by grinding high-density
polyethylene (HDPE). We looked at its compressive strength, density, and water
absorption capability. Up to a 35% blend of HDPE, the compressive strength was
determined to be within the required range (2000 psi). In order to produce lightweight
materials, HDPE was added to cement, which reduced density, increased ductility,
and improved workability (Sarwar, 2023).
As plastic is used to make plastic bricks, no impact from acids, salts, or oils is
felt. It has fewer water-porous areas. It also has a compressive strength of 11.82
N/mm2 resistances. On heating, it does not expand. The Brick's compressive strength
dropped as the plastic content rose. So, these bricks could aid in minimizing pollution
brought on by plastic bags. Since it is made of plastic, paving blocks can be replaced
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with it for better roads. It prevents water from seeping; hence it is anticipated to have
superior longevity compared to concrete blocks (Kedare, 2020).
Making plastic bricks from plastic trash will help preserve the ecosystem from
the consequences of plastic waste, which typically takes several millennia to
disintegrate. It has been discovered that thermoplastic waste—specifically, polymers
whose recycling may not have an adverse environmental impact, such as polyethylene
(PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—can be used to create lightweight,
affordable, low-thermal conductor bricks. Compressive strength (CS) and water
absorption tests are discovered as the two most important test techniques for
evaluating the efficacy of high plastic waste content in bricks. Particularly, a high
proportion of plastic waste to sand is shown to increase the bricks' compressive
strength while allowing barely any water to permeate (Mak, 2021).
The compressive strength test results for plastic-soil bricks with a 70% plastic
content by weight of soil and a 2% bitumen content by weight of soil offer a
compressive strength of 8.16N/mm2, which is more than laterite stone (3.18N/mm2).
Moreover, it absorbs less water (0.9536%) than laterite stone (14.58%). The
successful use of discarded plastic in plastic bricks has reduced the amount of plastic
waste that needs to be disposed of safely and has prevented widespread plastic
littering. And the issue of its disposal has been somewhat alleviated by the use of
quarry debris (Maneeth, 2014).
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CHAPTER II
METHODOLOGY
Materials and Equipment
This investigation will take place at the home of one of the proponents. The
following materials will be required to carry out this experiment: 20 pcs of plastic
bottles (500 g), 3 pcs of scissors, 1 molder (12cm x 5cm), and 1 heat gun.
Materials
Quantity
Plastic Bottles
500 g
Scissors
3 pcs
Molder
1pc (12cm x 5cm)
Heat gun
1 pc
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Treatment/General Procedure
Here is the step by step when creating the plastic brick:
Step 1:
First, the researchers gathered plastic bottles.
Step 2:
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And then cut the plastic bottles into small pieces so they will be melted more easily.
Step 3:
Then after cutting it, we placed the small pieces of plastic bottles in the molder.
Step 4:
Next, we used an electric heat gun to melt the plastic in the molder.
15
Step 5:
And finally, the researchers waited 5-10 minutes for the melted plastic in the molder
to harden.
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CHAPTER III
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Findings
17
To test the effectiveness of plastic bricks as an alternative to paver bricks, the
researchers did a Do It Yourself (DIY) test for testing the durability of the material by
placing a gradually increasing weight of objects on top of the plastic paver bricks for
a duration of time. The picture below is the outcome of the conducted procedure by
the researchers.
Figure 1. Plastic Brick
Table 1. Durability Test
Weight of Loaded
Duration
Findings
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Material
6 Kg
30 minutes
The plastic brick
withstands the 6 kg load,
and the researchers didn’t
notice any changes in the
plastic brick.
30 Kg
60 minutes
The plastic brick
wasn’t altered or damaged
in any way.
50 Kg
90 minutes
The plastic brick
held out against the 50kG
object and was unaffected.
Analysis of Data
Table 1 shows the durability of the plastic brick through the DIY durability
test by the researchers. On the first row, the plastic brick resists the weight of the 6kg
for 30 minutes. The 2nd row also withstands the 30kg weight for 60 minutes or 1 hour.
Lastly, the researchers put on a 50kG load and left it for 1 hour and 30 minutes on the
plastic brick, and the researchers noticed that nothing had happened to the plastic
brick. The use of Plastic waste in building materials is therefore suggested as a
sustainable source of making paver bricks in the future (Uvarajan, 2022).
CHAPTER IV
CONCLUSION ANG RECOMMENDATIONS
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Introduction
This chapter presents the results of the DIY test conducted by the researchers
to test the durability of plastic paver bricks as an alternative to traditional paver bricks.
Data Analysis
The data collected for this study consisted of the durability of plastic paver
bricks when subjected to increasing weights for a set duration of time. The data were
analyzed by the researchers to evaluate the ability of the plastic paver bricks to
withstand weight and retain their structural integrity.
Findings
The analysis of the data revealed that plastic paver bricks have good durability
and can withstand weights of up to 50 kg without any significant damage. The DIY
test showed that the plastic paver bricks were able to hold up against gradually
increasing weights for set durations of time, indicating their potential as a viable
alternative to traditional paver bricks. The findings suggest that plastic waste can be a
sustainable source of making paver bricks in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that plastic paver bricks have
good durability and can be a sustainable alternative to traditional paver bricks. The
recommendations provided in this chapter offer suggestions for further research and
practical applications of the findings. Further research and development are needed to
fully realize the potential benefits of this alternative construction material
Recommendations
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Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made
for the use of plastic paver bricks:
Further testing: Although the initial results are promising, further testing is
needed to evaluate the long-term durability and performance of plastic paver bricks
under various conditions. This could include testing in real-world applications, such
as roads, sidewalks, and patios.
Production processes: Efforts should be made to develop production processes
that ensure the quality and consistency of plastic paver bricks. This could include
research into different types of plastics that can be used in the production of the bricks,
as well as optimizing the manufacturing process to ensure high-quality products.
Environmental impact: The use of plastic waste in building materials can help
reduce waste and support sustainable practices. However, it is important to consider
the potential environmental impact of using plastic materials. Further research is
needed to evaluate the environmental impact of plastic paver bricks and develop ways
to mitigate any negative effects.
Promotion and adoption: Efforts should be made to promote and incentivize
the use of plastic paver bricks among builders, architects, and homeowners. This
could include education campaigns, demonstration projects, and the development of
industry standards and certifications.
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