Environmental risks of using recycled crushed glass in road applications

Disfani, M.M., Arulrajah, A., Bo, M.W., and Sivakugan, N. (2012) Environmental risks of using recycled crushed glass in road applications. Journal of Cleaner Production, 20 (1). pp. 170-179.

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Abstract

Recycled crushed glass is the main by-product of the glass recycling industry. Insufficient knowledge of the geotechnical characteristics of recycled glass and its environmental risks are the primary barriers in its application in road works. An extensive suite of geotechnical and environmental tests were undertaken on two common types of recycled crushed glass (fine recycled glass and medium recycled glass) to study the potential of using them in road works as alternatives to natural aggregates. Recycled glass was found to exhibit either equivalent or superior workability, hydraulic conductivity and shear strength to natural aggregates within the same soil classification and demonstrated the potential to substitute natural sand and gravel mixtures in a range of road applications. To address the environmental concerns of using recycled glass in road work applications, a comprehensive series of chemical and environmental tests including total and leachate concentration for a range of contaminant constituents including heavy metals and aromatic hydrocarbons were carried out. Test results were compared with environmental protection authorities’ requirements and indicated that no leaching hazard will be experienced during the service life of recycled glass in road work applications. Other possible environmental risks along with health and safety precautions and management suggestions have also been discussed.

Item ID: 20831
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 0959-6526
Keywords: recycled glass; leachate contamination; environmental risks
Date Deposited: 14 May 2012 06:03
FoR Codes: 09 ENGINEERING > 0905 Civil Engineering > 090501 Civil Geotechnical Engineering @ 70%
09 ENGINEERING > 0907 Environmental Engineering > 090799 Environmental Engineering not elsewhere classified @ 30%
SEO Codes: 87 CONSTRUCTION > 8702 Construction Design > 870201 Civil Construction Design @ 60%
88 TRANSPORT > 8801 Ground Transport > 880106 Road Infrastructure and Networks @ 40%
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