OPTIMIZATION OF COMPOSITE ECO-BLOCKS DERIVED FROM SAWDUST

ASH AND PLASTIC AS AN ALTERNATIVE AGGREGATE

ORVIN A. LOBITOS
JAN ALBERT ALEJO U. PARENAS
KAZCEY N. LUMARAN
STANLEY B. PALER
LEX AINE JUNE D. TABOR

Association of Science and Mathematics Coaches of the Philippines

Philippine Association of Teachers and Educational Leaders
Philippine Institute of 21st Century Educators Inc.
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ABSTRACT
Masses of plastic trash swirling in waterways, garbage clogging drainage
canals, and huge stinking dumpsites are among the most visible manifestation of the
waste crisis in the Philippines. A 2015 report on plastic pollution by the Ocean
Conservancy Charity and McKinsey Centre for Business and Environment ranked the
Philippines as the third-largest source of discarded plastic that ends up in the ocean,
behind the two other Asian nations: China and Indonesia. Philippines generate 2.7
million tons of plastic waste annually. Sawdust is a by-product or waste product of
woodworking. Plastic is material consisting of a wide range of synthetic or semi-
synthetic organic compounds that are malleable and so can be molded into solid objects.
Eco-blocks an environment-friendly brick made from recycled materials. The main
objective of this study is to innovate concrete blocks utilizing the grinded plastic
wrappers and the sawdust which is burned to become ash using alternative concrete
aggregate. This research study can help to reduce plastic waste and to save nature.
Involved three sets when each set contains three different concrete blocks, which are the
eco-blocks made by grinded-plastic cellophane, eco-blocks made by sawdust and
commercial hollow blocks. The Department of Public Works and Highways in the
Regional Office is tested the compression test and moisture of eco-blocks in terms of
compression strength. The result shows that the commercial hollow block and eco-
blocks in terms of durability there's no significant difference. While the eco-blocks made
by sawdust has a significant difference in terms of durability compared to the eco-blocks
with grinded plastic cellophane and commercial hollow blocks. In terms of moisture, the
blocks have 9.69% below to the maximum of 45% which means a high quality of block
that is qualified for the standard. Therefore, that the eco- blocks made by grinded plastic
cellophane and eco-blocks made by sawdust ash has a potential and capable the same to
the commercial hollow block are useful concrete blocks when building structures.

Keywords: Sawdust, Plastic, Alternative Aggregate, Eco-block. Grinded, Concrete