Tuladhar, Rabin, and Yin, Shi (2018) Sustainability of using recycled plastic fiber in concrete. In: Fernando, Pacheco-Torgal, Khatib, Jamal, Colangelo, Francesco, and Tuladhar, Rabin, (eds.) Use of Recycled Plastics in Eco-efficient Concrete. Woodhead Publishing, Duxford, UK, pp. 441-460.

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Abstract

Globally 335 Mt of plastic is produced every year, out of which less than 9% is recycled. Majority of the plastic wastes are discarded into landfills causing serious environmental concerns. This paper presents environmental benefits of recycling industrial plastic wastes into macro plastic fibers for reinforcing concrete. Detail life cycle assessment (LCA) for the production of 100% recycled polypropylene (PP) fibers was conducted and compared with the environmental impacts of virgin PP fibers and steel reinforcing mesh (SRM). Concrete footpath of 100 m X 100 m area and 100 mm thickness was used as the functional unit for all three scenarios. Detailed LCA showed that production of recycled PP fiber consumed 28% and 78% less water and fossil fuel compared to virgin PP fiber, respectively. It also produces 50% less CO2 and PO4 equivalent. Compared to SRM, recycled PP fiber consumed 99% and 91% less water and fossil fuel, respectively. Moreover, it produced 93% less CO2 equivalent and 97% less PO4 equivalent.

Item ID:	56479
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	978-0-08-102676-2
Keywords:	sustainability, life cycle assessment, recycled plastic fiber, virgin plastic fiber, steel reinforcing mesh
Funders:	Fibrecon QLD
Date Deposited:	05 Mar 2019 03:40
FoR Codes:	40 ENGINEERING > 4005 Civil engineering > 400505 Construction materials @ 50% 40 ENGINEERING > 4005 Civil engineering > 400510 Structural engineering @ 20% 40 ENGINEERING > 4016 Materials engineering > 401609 Polymers and plastics @ 30%
SEO Codes:	87 CONSTRUCTION > 8703 Construction Materials Performance and Processes > 870301 Cement and Concrete Materials @ 50% 87 CONSTRUCTION > 8703 Construction Materials Performance and Processes > 870303 Polymeric Materials (e.g. Paints) @ 50%
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