Marine plastic pollution and affordable housing challenge: Shredded waste plastic stabilized soil for producing compressed earth bricks

Abstract

This research work was aimed at investigating the suitability of making compressed earth bricks (CEB) with a mixture of soil and varying percentages (0, 1, 3, and 7%) of shredded waste plastic. Specific gravity, particle size distribution, Atterberg limits and compaction tests were carried out on the soil to determine the engineering properties of the soil. The compressive strengths and erosion rates of the CEB made with the soil and the mixture of soil and varying proportions of shredded waste plastic of two size-categories (9.6 mm) were determined. The soil was classified as clayey sand (SC). The highest compressive strength was obtained for the CEB containing 1% waste plastic of sizes <6.3 mm and its compressive strength amounted to a 244.4% increase. Of the CEB samples stabilized with shredded waste plastic, the sample containing 1% waste plastic of sizes <6.3 mm also had the least erosion rate. Provided the exterior surfaces of walls produced using the CEB are protected from erosion, the use of 1% shredded waste plastic with particle sizes <6.3 mm was recommended. The use of waste plastic that would have constituted an environmental nuisance has the potential to produce stronger and affordable bricks for providing affordable housing. Keywords: Mud, Soil stabilization, Sustainable construction, Traditional building, Waste management