Environmental Conservation Efforts in Developing Textile Waste Incorporated Cement Blocks

Abstract

The textile waste composition falls within the range of 0.5-1% from the total composition of municipal solid waste collection in Sri Lanka. However, the garment industry may generate textile waste accumulating from 19,000 to 38,000 tons annually, since the garment cutting waste is approximately 10 - 20% of fabric consumption. Considerable amount of textile waste is dumped in open areas and incinerated after removing small percentage for recycling and reuse. This accumulation of textile waste from all over the country causes certain serious environmental problems and health hazards. Also, finding of alternatives for river sand has arisen due to over exploitation for construction purposes resulting in various harmful consequences.The focus of the current study was on making solid cement blocks as building material, by partially replacing river sand with textile waste. The two forms of textile waste; cut-andground and cut pieces of 1cm x 2.5cm were incorporated to replace 25% sand on volume. Compressive strength, stress strain characteristics, weight and saving of sand were determined.The results showed that the effect of compressive strength and stress-strain characteristics of the textile waste used cement blocks are within the required standards and can be used for constructing one storied buildings. Though cut-and-ground textile showed slightly high compressive strength, it is difficult to use for construction due to its additional cost of production. The small square pieces of size 1cm x 1cm were the acceptable shape for making blocks. Finally, it can be concluded that replacing of river sand by small textile waste pieces is a good alternative and environment friendly solution DOI: 10.4038/tar.v21i2.2594Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 21(2): 126-133 (2009)

Keywords

• textile waste
• cement blocks