Research and Development of Modified Building Materials from Recycled Solid Wastes

Ivan L. Lawag12*, Florante Mamuyac2, Maricris V. Constantino2

1Department of Chemistry, Adamson University, Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines

2MCM Eco Chem Management Corporation, Sampaloc, San Rafael, Bulacan 3008, Philippines

*Corresponding author: ivan.lawag@gmail.com

Abstract

Solid waste generation had been increasing and had been a serious problem in the Philippines due to population growth and urbanization. Schools had been a major contributor of the said residual wastes that are being collected. There are a lot of environmental advocacies that were attributed to prper waste segregation and solid waste management but only few were deemed to be successful due to the unsustainability of the projects that were implemented. Thus, a research and environmentally oriented company ventured on a social enterprise that would utilize recovered wastes as part of its raw materials in the development of materials that are deemed to be marketable and profitable. The research was focused on the mobilization and training of some school campuses in the proper identification and segregation of solid wastes. Furthermore, research and development were done on certain solid wastes in order to come up with profitable modified products that were applicable for building construction and other environment friendly products. The products that were formulated were as follows: concrete precast with plastic strips, concrete hollow blocks with ground plastic/coco coir, geopolymer adhesives, fiber board, wood plastic composite, activated carbon, adhesives, paper and organic fertilizer. The modified hollow blocks, modified precast and geopolymer adhesives were found to be very marketable as the demand for building construction materials are increasing due to the boom in the construction industry in the Philippines. The modification of the said products provided improvements in the physical and chemical characteristics of the product. The other products that were indicated are still being researched and developed due to the limitations of the testings machines that will test its specific qualities.

Keywords: Solid waste, modified concrete products, concrete hollow blocks, concrete precast

Introduction and Literature Review

Solid waste has been one of the environmental problems that are being faced by the Philippines nowadays. This problem has escalated due to the growing population, rapidly increasing consumption and increasing urbanization. Currently, there are around 19,700 tons of wastes that are generated in the Philippine per day and projections show that it will increase by 47 percent. Of all the 10,000 million tons of solid waste were generated by the Philippines per year, only 12 percent of these are being recycled and re-used. The inadequacy of disposal facilities for solid waste management has delimited the collection of waste. Open dumpsite is the most common method in waste disposal and sanitary landfills are inadequate. 29.8 percent of solid waste being collected and this includes paper and cardboard, plastic and petroleum products, textiles, Metals, Glass, Leather and rubber. (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ilo/2005/12/11/news/environment.presents.ra.9003.html)

The comprehensive solid waste management (SWM) programs are some of the most challenging tasks in the achievement of institutional sustainability. In order for a particular SWM to be effective, it requires a complete thorough consideration of the composition of the flow of waste and also the actions that concludes its production. A careful determination of the waste generation source is important in order to fully understand the nature of the waste and its composition. The SWM schemes that took the said criteria into consideration were considered to be successful (SMYTH, 2010).

In order for certain solid waste management schemes to become sustainable, the obtained wastes must be able to generate income on its own. This can be aided by the development of products that are of good quality and possesses a high demand in the market. The stability of the raw materials that will be used must also be taken into consideration in order to come up with a sustainable enterprise.

Methodology

Training and Information Dissemination

Series of orientations, film showings and lectures were provided for the students who are enrolled in chosen partner schools. In the said activity, topics such as the environmental impact and hazardous effects of various solid wastes were discussed. Students were also oriented with the proper identification and segregation of the different waste materials that they normally use everyday.

Waste Segregation and Collection

Properly labeled garbage bins were placed in strategic areas of the school campus. The waste segregation is thoroughly monitored and retraining/reorientations were done to ensure proper adherence to the advocacy. Waste materials were classified based on its physical and chemical properties. Wastes were collected on a regular interval. Figure 1 shows the classification of different solid waste materials.

Figure 1 shows the classification of different solid waste materials

Solid Waste

Nonbidegradable

PETHDPEPVCLDPE

PPPS

Others

MetalsRubber

Biodegradable

Food wastesOrganic wastes

Development of Different Products

Concrete Precast with Polyethylene Terepthalate (PET) (Rebeiz, 1996)

Figure 2. Schematic Diagram of the Process in Developing Modified Concrete Precast

Concrete Hollow Block with Polyethylene Terepthalate (PET)

Figure 3. Schematic Diagram of the Process in Developing Modified Concrete Hollow Block with PET

Concrete Hollow Block with Cococoir

Figure 4. Schematic Diagram of the Process in Developing Modified Concrete Hollow Block with Coco coir

Paper and Paper Products

Figure 5. Schematic Diagram of the Process in Developing Recycled Paper and Other Products

Activated Charcoal

Figure 6. Schematic Diagram of the Process in Developing an Activated Charcoal from Coconut Shell

Composting and Organic Fertilizer

Figure 7. Schematic Diagram of the Process in Developing Organic Fertilizer

Fiber Board

Figure 8. Schematic Diagram of the Process in Developing Fiber Boards

Wood Plastic Composite

Figure 9. Schematic Diagram of the Process in Developing Wood Plastic Composite

Findings

The partner schools had shown enthusiasm and dedication in the waste segregation scheme. However, further orientations and trainings must be done so that the collected wastes will be 100% separated. The schools were participative to the program because waste collection is done for free provided that all of their waste materials will be collected exclusively by the company. All products that were indicated were successfully developed. However, the marketability of the other products except for the modified concrete hollow blocks and concrete precast were found to be feasible.

Tests on Modified Concrete Hollow Block with PET

Tests had shown that CHBs containing PET had a higher compressive strength as compared to CHBs that does not contain PET.

SAMPLE IDENTIFICATION

DIMENSION NET AREAmm2

MACHINE READING

(KN)

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

WIDTH LENGTH psi mpa6’’ CHB NO PET 1 156 401 34076 184 783 5.40

6’’ CHB NO PET 2 156 402 34904 337 697 9.666’’ WD PET 3.1 151 401 33375 166 721 4.976’’ WD PET 3.2 153 402 35326 218 895 6.176’’ WD PET 1.1 152 400 21660 193 1292 8.916’’ WD PET 1.2 153 401 38065 183 1400 4.81

Table 1 shows the compressive strength of modified concrete hollow blocks with PET

Tests on Modified Concrete Hollow Block with Coco Coir

Tests had shown that CHBs containing 30% Coco coir by weight has a strength that is comparable to that of the standard. The minimum acceptable strength for CHBs is 200 psi.

SAMPLE LABEL4” CHB with 30% Coco

Coir

COMPRESSION LOAD (N)

STRENGTH (Mpa)

STRENGTH (PSI)

STD 63900 2.15 311E1 30 62000 2.08 302E2 30 60000 2.01 292E3 30 56200 1.89 274E4 30 52300 1.76 255E5 30 46800 1.63 237E6 30 58200 1.95 245E7 30 54200 1.82 283E8 30 50400 1.69 263E9 30 46600 1.56 227

Table 2 shows the compressive strength of modified concrete hollow blocks with coco coir

Tests on Modified Concrete Precast with PET

Results had shown that modified concrete precast with PET (ECO 7 and ECO 8) has a better compressive strength as compared to that of the standard AO 40 and AO 52).

TEST CYLINDER

DESIGNATION

WT.kg

DIAin

LENGTHin

DATE SAMPLED

AGE(Days

)

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

F TYPELOAD

(lb)PSI MPA

01 AO 40 9.262

6.161

11.880 11/18/2010

35 48,135

1,610

11.14

CS

02 AO 52 9.224

6.181

12.000 11/18/2010

35 58,445

1,950

13.43

CS

03 ECO 7 9.771

6.159

11.880 11/28/2010

30 65,105

2,190

15.07

C

05 ECO 8 9.793

6.203

11.880 11/28/2010

30 66,610

2,200

15.20

C

Legend: FRACTURE TYPEC - CONICAL CP - CONE & SPLITS - SHEAR CL - COLUMNAR

CS - CONE & SHEAR

Table 3 shows the compressive strength of modified concrete Precast with PET.

Conclusion

Solid waste management is a tasking process. Various products can be formulated and developed but the products that were formulated must pass the standard testing to ensure its engineering capability. Another aspect that has to be taken into consideration is the marketability of the said products as well as the sustainability of the raw materials that will be utilized in the development of the products.

References

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ilo/2005/12/11/news/environment.presents.ra.9003.html

REBEIZ, K.S. (1996) Precast use of polymer concrete using unsaturated polyester resin based on recycled PET waste. Construction and Building Materials. 10 (3) p. 215-220.

SMYTH, D.P., FREDEEN, A., BOOTH, A. (2010) Reducing solid waste in higher education: The first step towards ‘greening’ a university campus. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 54 p. 1007–1016.