Sustainable Approach for Recycling Medical Waste Needles to Partially Replace Aggregate in Lightweight Concrete Production

Abstract

The generation of sharp waste from the activities of health care facilities is unavoidable. Waste needles are considered one of the most problematic issues in health facilities. This study involved an experimental investigation of reusing waste needles (WNs) in concrete mixes to partially replace the natural fine aggregate at 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% by weight. The mechanical and physical properties of the WNs-concrete mixes have been studied and compared to conventional concrete mix. The workability test, fresh and hard densities, compressive and flexural strengths, water absorption, and leaching test were carried. The curing ages considered for the concrete mixes were 7, 14, and 28 days. The results revealed that the WNs-concrete mixes exhibited improved flexural strength and workability, decreased water absorption capacity and improved durability. The compressive strength values of WNs-concrete mixes gradually decreased, but they were higher than the targeted mean strength of M17 grade concrete.

Keywords

• concrete
• reuse
• biomedical waste
• waste needles
• sustainability