The world is moving towards a circular economy that focuses on reducing wastes and keeping materials in use for the longest time possible. This paper critically reviewed three of the largest volume of landfill waste materials (tyres, plastics and glass) that are becoming a major concern for many countries. At present, crumb rubbers (from tyres) and glass sands (from crushed waste glass) are being used in concrete and road constructions while plastics are often used in manufacturing civil structures. However, only 10% tyres, 19.5% plastics and 21% glass are currently recycled globally. The massive volume of remaining unused wastes goes to landfill creating environmental problems. Therefore, finding new strategies of utilising these landfill wastes is vital. The global and country specific production, recycling and landfilling rates of these waste are summarised to understand the present situation of global waste crisis. Future strategies for improved waste management, potential investment and research directions are highlighted. New options for recycling wastes tyres, plastics and glass in construction are also presented to provide practical and economical solutions to extract maximum value and ensure their continued use in a closed loop system.

Recycling of landfill wastes (tyres, plastics and glass) in construction - A review on global waste generation, performance, application and future opportunities

Composite materials reinforced with biofibers and nanomaterials are becoming considerably popular, especially for their light weight, strength, exceptional stiffness, flexural rigidity, damping property, longevity, corrosion, biodegradability, antibacterial, and fire-resistant properties. Beside the traditional thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, nanoparticles are also receiving attention in terms of their potential to improve the functionality and mechanical performances of biocomposites. These remarkable characteristics have made nanobiocomposite materials convenient to apply in aerospace, mechanical, construction, automotive, marine, medical, packaging, and furniture industries, through providing environmental sustainability. Nanoparticles (TiO2, carbon nanotube, rGO, ZnO, and SiO2) are easily compatible with other ingredients (matrix polymer and biofibers) and can thus form nanobiocomposites. Nanobiocomposites are exhibiting a higher market volume with the expansion of new technology and green approaches for utilizing biofibers. The performances of nanobiocomposites depend on the manufacturing processes, types of biofibers used, and the matrix polymer (resin). An overview of different natural fibers (vegetable/plants), nanomaterials, biocomposites, nanobiocomposites, and manufacturing methods are discussed in the context of potential application in this review.

Potential Natural Fiber Polymeric Nanobiocomposites: A Review.

Several million tons of different types of wastes are generated every year globally and this is expected to increase in the future. Most of these wastes are dumped via landfilling or incineration which creates environmental concerns. One of the possible methods of utilizing these wastes is by incorporating them as alternatives to common concrete constituents. In this regard, foamed concrete could provide an excellent medium for incorporating these wastes in a large volume primarily due to low strength requirement of foamed concrete. A significant number of research is carried out to explore the idea of integrating waste materials in pre-foamed concrete. However, the limited knowledge available to recognize the utilization of these waste and the influence on foamed concrete limits the adoption of the concept and further development. Hence, this paper compiles and reviews the usage of various types of wastes such as industrial, agricultural, quarry, and construction industry wastes as a potential replacement for cement and fine aggregate in foamed concrete. Due to the unique composition and the resulting chemical and physical properties, as well as the nature of replacement (either as cement or fine aggregate replacement), each type of waste contributes differently to the performance of foamed concrete. Generally, a non-load bearing foamed concrete with low thermal conductivity, low density, and adequate compressive strength can be produced by incorporating the waste materials. This paper also describes the advantages of incorporating waste materials in foamed concrete compared to conventional concrete and proposes the further development of the concept for future application of a more sustainable and eco-friendly foamed concrete.

Lightweight foamed concrete as a promising avenue for incorporating waste materials: A review

Recycling and recovery of waste tires is a serious environmental problem since vulcanized rubbers require several years to degrade naturally and remain for long periods of time in the environment. This is associated to a complex three dimensional (3D) crosslinked structure and the presence of a high number of different additives inside a tire formulation. Most end-of-life tires are discarded as waste in landfills taking space or incinerated for energy recovery, especially for highly degraded rubber wastes. All these options are no longer acceptable for the environment and circular economy. However, a great deal of progress has been made on the sustainability of waste tires via recycling as this material has high potential being a source of valuable raw materials. Extensive researches were performed on using these end-of-life tires as fillers in civil engineering applications (concrete and asphalt), as well as blending with polymeric matrices (thermoplastics, thermosets or virgin rubber). Several grinding technologies, such as ambient, wet or cryogenic processes, are widely used for downsizing waste tires and converting them into ground tire rubber (GTR) with a larger specific surface area. Here, a focus is made on the use of GTR as a partial replacement in virgin rubber compounds. The paper also presents a review of the possible physical and chemical surface treatments to improve the GTR adhesion and interaction with different matrices, including rubber regeneration processes such as thermomechanical, microwave, ultrasonic and thermochemical producing regenerated tire rubber (RTR). This review also includes a detailed discussion on the effect of GTR/RTR particle size, concentration and crosslinking level on the curing, rheological, mechanical, aging, thermal, dynamic mechanical and swelling properties of rubber compounds. Finally, a conclusion on the current situation is provided with openings for future works.

Recycling Waste Tires into Ground Tire Rubber (GTR)/Rubber Compounds: A Review

Waste management has become an issue of increasing concern worldwide. These products are filling landfills and reducing the amount of livable space. Leachate produced from landfills contaminates the surrounding environment. The conventional incineration process releases toxic airborne fumes into the atmosphere. Researchers are working continuously to explore sustainable ways to manage and recycle waste materials. Recycling and reuse are the most efficient methods in waste management. The pavement industry is one promising sector, as different sorts of waste are being recycled into asphalt concrete and bitumen. This paper provides an overview of some promising waste products like high-density polyethylene, marble quarry waste, building demolition waste, ground tire rubber, cooking oil, palm oil fuel ash, coconut, sisal, cellulose and polyester fiber, starch, plastic bottles, waste glass, waste brick, waste ceramic, waste fly ash, and cigarette butts, and their use in asphalt concrete and bitumen. Many experts have investigated these waste materials and tried to find ways to use this waste for asphalt concrete and bitumen. In this paper, the outcomes from some significant research have been analyzed, and the scope for further investigation is discussed.

https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/7/1495/pdf

Recycling of Waste Materials for Asphalt Concrete and Bitumen: A Review.

Waste tyres and their accumulation is a global environmental concern; they are not biodegradable, and, globally, an estimated 1.5 billion are generated annually. Waste tyres in landfill and stockpiles are renowned for leaching toxic chemicals into the surrounding environment, acting as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and fuelling inextinguishable fires. The properties of waste tyre rubber and engineering applications have been previously reported in a range of publications with respect to the environmental, economic, and technical factors. This study compiles and reviews this research with a focus on geotechnical engineering applications, such as earthworks and infrastructure construction. The applications of waste rubber in construction materials includes cementitious concrete, asphalt concrete, and granular materials for earth structures. Crumb rubber, when used as a sand replacement in flowable concrete fill, improved ductility and strength-to-weight ratio. A 40 MPa concrete mix with 0.6% rubber crumb content exhibited optimal strength and air entrainment capabilities, displaying minimal damage after 56 freeze/thaw cycles. Rubber, as a partial replacement for aggregate in road base and sub-base layers, adversely affected the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of the graded aggregate base course. Rubber-soil mixtures as the interface of foundation and structure yielded a 60–70 % reduction in vertical and horizontal ground accelerations when subjected to earthquake simulation modelling. There is concern regarding the toxicity of waste rubber incorporated products due to leachates of heavy metals and other chemicals common in tyres. Further comprehensive studies in this area are needed. Leachate studies should be conducted under different pH and liquid to solid ratios.

Recycling waste rubber tyres in construction materials and associated environmental considerations: A review

Nanoparticles are defined as ultrafine particles sized between 1 and 100 nanometres in diameter. In recent decades, there has been wide scientific research on the various uses of nanoparticles in construction, electronics, manufacturing, cosmetics, and medicine. The advantages of using nanoparticles in construction are immense, promising extraordinary physical and chemical properties for modified construction materials. Among the many different types of nanoparticles, titanium dioxide, carbon nanotubes, silica, copper, clay, and aluminium oxide are the most widely used nanoparticles in the construction sector. The promise of nanoparticles as observed in construction is reflected in other adoptive industries, driving the growth in demand and production quantity at an exorbitant rate. The objective of this study was to analyse the use of nanoparticles within the construction industry to exemplify the benefits of nanoparticle applications and to address the short-term and long-term effects of nanoparticles on the environment and human health within the microcosm of industry so that the findings may be generalised. The benefits of nanoparticle utilisation are demonstrated through specific applications in common materials, particularly in normal concrete, asphalt concrete, bricks, timber, and steel. In addition, the paper addresses the potential benefits and safety barriers for using nanomaterials, with consideration given to key areas of knowledge associated with exposure to nanoparticles that may have implications for health and environmental safety. The field of nanotechnology is considered rather young compared to established industries, thus limiting the time for research and risk analysis. Nevertheless, it is pertinent that research and regulation precede the widespread adoption of potentially harmful particles to mitigate undue risk.

Lucas Burnett

Papers

Recycling waste rubber tyres in construction materials and associated environmental considerations: A review

Nanoparticles in Construction Materials and Other Applications, and Implications of Nanoparticle Use