Recycling of WEEE Plastics Waste in Mortar: The Effects on Mechanical Properties

Abstract

This work focused on the recycling of WEEE plastic waste as a partial substitute for aggregate in light mortars. The plastic mix, provided by the IREN group, was used as a replacement of aggregate in 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90%vol in mortars. Worsening of the mechanical performance of around 50% was detected already at only 15%vol of mineral aggregate substituted with plastic waste. The explanation of this phenomenon was found in both the scarce mechanical properties of the used plastic and in the poor adhesion between matrix and plastics that resulted in extra-porosity formation, as also demonstrated by comparing the results with several models in the literature. However, the use of plastic waste as a partial replacement of natural aggregate contributes to the preservation of natural resources and, in any case, does not limit the application of these materials in non-structural applications.