MALLAREDDY ENGINEERING COLLEGE

(AUTONOMOUS)
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINERRING
REAL TIME RESEARCH PROJECT – C01P1

DEVELOPMENT OF ECO – BRICKS FOR

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Submitted by
CH.VYSHNAVI – 23J45A0115
M.PUJITHJA – 23J45A0136
R.SRUJANA – 23J45A0147
U.SAGARIKA – 23J45A0162
Under the guidance of

DR. C. V. Siva Rama Prasad

 CONTEXT

 Abstract

 Introduction

 Literature survey

 Materials and Methodology

ABSTRACT:
Plastic waste which is increasing day by day becomes eyesore and in turn pollutes the environment, especially in high
mountain villages where no garbage collection system exists. A large amount of plastic is being brought into the tourist
trekking regions are discarded or burned which leads to the contamination of environment and air. Hence, these waste
plastics are to be effectively utilized. Low-density polyethylene bags are cleaned and added with sand at particular
percentages to obtain high strength bricks that possess thermal and sound insulation properties to control pollution and
to reduce the overall cost of construction; this is one of the best ways to avoid the accumulation of plastic waste which
is a non-degradable pollutant. This alternatively saves the quantity of sand/clay that has to be taken away from the
precious river beds/mines. The plastic waste is naturally available in surplus quantity and hence the cost factor comes
down. Also colouring agents can be added to the mixture to attain desired shades.
Hence these is, an attempt is made to study regard the properties of the brick which is manufactured using plastic
wastes. The present work deals with the manufacturing and analysis of bricks made with waste plastic (LDPE) and
fine aggregates. The bricks produced are light weight, have smooth surface and fine edges, do not have cracks and
have high crushing strength and very low water absorption.
The bricks are manufactured by heating waste plastic to temperature range of 120 to 150 degree centigrade and
mixing sand to the molten plastic.
KEYWORD’S: Plastic Waste, Environment, Compressive strength, Water Absorption, Brick.
 Eco-bricks is the name for PET bottles filled with some material (Taaffe, O’Sullivan,
Rahman, & Pakrashi, 2014) that could be used as building blocks (Barajas & Vera, 2016).
There are experiences of bottles filled with soil, and other filled with compressed inorganic
waste materials, particularly plastics, foams, packaging and cellophanes (Kuhn, 2015; Maier &
INTRODUCTION Bakisan, 2014). Communities and non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) consider the Eco-
brick as a valid recycling way to reduce their plastic waste disposal volumes (Heisse & Arias,
2011; Kuhn, 2015). Moreover, this handmade building block has become an accessible/low
cost construction material for social projects in regions where litter and informal dump sites are
a common problem and industrial recycling might not be yet available. Examples of regions
where there are reported Eco-brick building projects include countries in Latin America, Africa,
and South Asia (Heisse & Arias, 2011; Kuhn, 2015; Taaffe et al., 2014). Most of Eco-brick
based construction projects are social projects where communities work together for a common
goal such as educational centres and recreational spaces(Heisse & Arias, 2011). There exist
motivation techniques to get the participants’ help with the collection of materials and filling of
bottles, such as graded school work (Maier & Bakisan, 2014), or trading complete Eco-bricks
per clothing or toys (Kuhn, 2015).
Eco bricks are essentially plastic bottles filled tightly with compacted non-biodegradable waste
such as plastic wrappers, bags, and other single-use plastics. The bottles are packed until they
are firm and sturdy, resembling traditional bricks used in construction. These bricks are sealed
to prevent the waste from decomposing or leaching toxins into the environment. The idea
behind eco bricks is to repurpose plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or
pollute natural ecosystems. In an era marked by escalating environmental concerns and the
urgent need for sustainable solutions, innovative approaches to waste management have
ECO BRICKS become increasingly paramount. Among these pioneering solutions, eco bricks emerge as a
beacon of hope, offering a tangible and practical means to address the pervasive issue of plastic
pollution while simultaneously promoting sustainable development.
 The concept of eco bricks revolves around the transformative idea of repurposing non-biodegradable waste,
predominantly plastic, into sturdy and functional building blocks. These eco-friendly bricks, also known as plastic bricks
or bottle bricks, embody the ethos of recycling and resourcefulness, presenting a paradigm shift in how societies
perceive and utilize waste materials. The genesis of eco bricks can be traced back to the burgeoning crisis of plastic
pollution, which has reached alarming proportions in recent decades. With millions of tons of plastic waste
accumulating in landfills, oceans, and natural ecosystems worldwide, the imperative to find innovative solutions has
never been more pressing. In this context, eco bricks emerge as a promising alternative, offering a practical means to
divert plastic waste from conventional disposal methods and repurpose it for constructive purposes. By encapsulating
compacted plastic waste within discarded plastic bottles, eco bricks not only prevent further pollution but also harness
the inherent durability and resilience of plastics to create durable and versatile building materials.
The significance of eco bricks extends beyond mere waste management; it embodies a holistic approach to sustainability
that encompasses environmental, social, and economic dimensions. At its core, the concept of eco bricks embodies the
principles of the circular economy, where waste is viewed as a valuable resource to be reused, recycled, and repurposed
rather than discarded. By transforming plastic waste into building blocks, eco bricks contribute to closing the loop of
resource consumption and waste generation, thereby reducing the strain on finite natural resources and mitigating the
environmental impact of plastic pollution. Furthermore, eco bricks hold immense potential to address the pressing
challenges of affordable housing, particularly in underserved communities and developing regions. By providing a low-
cost and sustainable building material, eco bricks offer a viable solution to the scarcity of conventional construction
materials such as bricks, concrete, and timber. In areas where access to affordable housing is limited, eco bricks present
an opportunity to empower communities to construct their own dwellings using locally available materials, thereby
fostering self-reliance and resilience.
Moreover, the versatility of eco bricks extends beyond
construction applications, encompassing a wide range of
creative and artistic possibilities. From furniture and decor to art
installations and urban infrastructure, eco bricks inspire
designers, artists, and innovators to explore the aesthetic and
functional potential of recycled materials. By showcasing the
beauty and utility of eco-friendly design, these creations serve
as catalysts for raising awareness and inspiring action on
environmental conservation and sustainable living. In essence,
eco bricks represent a paradigm shift in waste management and
sustainable development, offering a tangible solution to the
global challenge of plastic pollution. As societies grapple with
the daunting task of transitioning to more sustainable lifestyles
and practices, eco bricks stand as a testament to human
ingenuity and resilience in the face of adversity. By harnessing
the transformative power of recycling and repurposing, eco
bricks pave the way towards a more sustainable future, where
waste is no longer seen as a burden but as a valuable resource
to be cherished and utilized for the benefit of present and future
generations.
 Every year, more than 380 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide. As of 2017, over
PLASTIC 100 million tons of polyethylene resins are produced annually, accounting for 34% of the
total plastics market. Every year, countries around the world discard millions of tons of
plastic waste. Just 16% of plastic waste is recycled to make new plastics, while 40% is sent
to landfills and 25% to incineration and 19% is dumped. The amount of plastic garbage
produced is constantly increasing, posing serious environmental danger. Because plastic is
made up of large toxic pollutants, it has the potential to harm the ecosystem by polluting
the air, water, and land. Plastic pollution is the most pervasive concern harming the marine
environment, land, and atmosphere. It also puts ocean health, food safety and quality,
human health, coastal tourism, and climate change at risk. Plastic contributes to global
warming as well. When plastic garbage is burned, carbon dioxide is released into the
atmosphere, increasing carbon emissions. Plastic trash degrades the visual value of tourist
attractions, resulting in lower tourism-related revenues and significant economic
expenditures associated with site cleaning and upkeep.
Finding ways to manage plastic waste is daunting even for wealthy nations. Better
holistic solid waste management systems and recycling are two simple and effective
ways to manage solid waste. Alternatively, attempts have been made to incorporate
waste in the production of bricks. These bricks will eventually be able to improve
plastic management while also fostering long-term development. The use of plastic
sand bricks can be beneficial and would help to reduce waste. As a result, using
plastic bricks promotes both sustainable development and environment protection.
In recent years, the world has witnessed a surge in environmental awareness, with a growing emphasis on sustainability
and waste management. One innovative solution that has gained traction is the concept of eco bricks. Eco bricks, also
known as plastic bricks or bottle bricks, are plastic bottles stuffed with non-biodegradable waste. These bricks serve as a
sustainable alternative to traditional building materials and offer various environmental and social benefits. This essay
delves into the concept of eco bricks, their applications, and objectives in promoting sustainability and environmental
conservation.
Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is the most common packaging material used worldwide and is used for packaging a
variety of products. It is also used for making containers and bottles. However, they pose great threat to the environment
as their effective disposal is a herculean task. They are not easily degradable; it usually takes more than ten decades to
decompose. As a result, they clog water ways, channels and drains. As they require many years to decompose, they fill up
the landfills faster. Polythene bags and packaging sheets harm aquatic life and wildlife as they pose the threat of chocking
if ingested. Low density polythene can be reused for making bricks. Bricks are the basic components of a building and
are required in bulk. By using plastic in making the brick, the overall cost of the brick will get reduced as, waste
polyethylene is being reused. Brick earth is costly, and digging of brick earth poses some damage to the environment.
Hence using plastic to make bricks is not only cost effective and eco-friendly but also the plastic bricks have a smooth
finish, devoid of cracks and have low water absorption value, and will not have problems like efflorescence in future.
BENEFITS OF ECO BRICKS

Waste Reduction: Eco bricks provide a practical solution for managing plastic waste, diverting it from landfills,
incineration, or ending up in oceans and ecosystems. By repurposing plastic waste into construction materials, eco bricks
contribute to reducing pollution and conserving natural resources.

Sustainable Building Material: Eco bricks offer an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional building
materials like bricks, concrete, or timber. They require minimal energy for production and help mitigate the depletion of
natural resources, such as clay or sand, which are commonly used in traditional brick manufacturing.

Community Engagement: The process of creating eco bricks often involves community participation, raising
awareness about waste management and environmental stewardship. Community-led initiatives for collecting and
processing plastic waste into eco bricks foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for addressing local environmental
challenges.

Insulation and Thermal Properties: Eco bricks have insulating properties, which can help regulate indoor
temperatures in buildings. The air trapped within the bottles provides thermal insulation, reducing the need for heating
or cooling systems and improving energy efficiency in construction.
ADVANTAGES OF ECO BRICKS
 Eco bricks can a very good alternative of traditional earthen bricks.
 Eco bricks can be used for partition walls and exterior walls; however, they must not be used in load
bearing walls.
 Cost of manufacturing per unit plastic brick is significantly lower than traditional earthen bricks, hence
they are cheaper alternative.
 Eco bricks are water resistant, hence can be used in underwater structures.
 Re using plastic will reduce environmental pollution.
 Strong and durable, with excellent insulation properties, and they're chemical-free and non-toxic.
 Less cost.
 Well-used eco brick modules will last 2-3 years.
 Prevent soil erosion.
 Low maintenance
 High strength
 Sustainable construction
DISADVANTAGES OF ECO BRICKS
 This could cause immediate harm to the soil and eventually reach the water table where these
chemicals threaten aquatic plant and animal life.

 Plastic waste is non-biodegradable, and its extensive use can contribute to pollution and difficulties in
waste management.

 Well-used eco brick modules will last 2-3 years.

 Plastic takes tons of years to decompose.

 Producing plastic is cheap, however, it is done using a variety of toxic chemicals and colours.

 The recycling process for plastic can be very expensive.

 Heavy use of plastic increases the pollution in the environment.

Applications of Eco Bricks:
Construction: One of the primary applications of eco bricks is in construction. These bricks can be used
to build structures such as walls, benches, and even entire buildings. By using eco bricks, builders reduce
the demand for traditional building materials like clay bricks or concrete, which require significant energy
and resources to produce. Additionally, eco bricks offer insulation properties and can contribute to energy
efficiency in buildings.

Infrastructure Development: Eco bricks can also be utilized in infrastructure development projects,
particularly in regions with limited access to conventional building materials. Communities facing housing
shortages or inadequate infrastructure can benefit from the low-cost and sustainable nature of eco bricks.
In disaster-prone areas, where rapid construction is necessary, eco bricks offer a quick and eco-friendly
solution.

Furniture and Art Installations: Beyond construction, eco bricks have found applications in creating
furniture, art installations, and decorative items. Designers and artists have embraced the versatility of eco
bricks to craft aesthetically pleasing and functional pieces. From chairs and tables to sculptures and
murals, these creations showcase the creative potential of repurposed plastic waste.
 Objectives of Eco Bricks:

Waste Reduction: The primary objective of eco bricks is to divert non-biodegradable waste from landfills
and oceans. By stuffing plastic bottles with compacted waste, eco bricks provide a tangible solution to address
the global plastic pollution crisis. Communities that implement eco brick initiatives witness a significant
reduction in the volume of waste sent to landfills, contributing to cleaner environments and healthier
ecosystems.

Environmental Conservation: Eco bricks play a vital role in environmental conservation by mitigating the
negative impacts of plastic pollution. By containing plastic waste within sealed bottles, eco bricks prevent the
release of harmful chemicals and micro plastics into the soil and waterways. This helps preserve biodiversity,
protect marine life, and safeguard natural habitats from degradation.

Sustainable Development: Another key objective of eco bricks is to promote sustainable development
practices. By repurposing waste materials as building components, eco bricks reduce the reliance on virgin
resources and minimize the carbon footprint associated with traditional construction methods. This aligns
with the principles of sustainable development by balancing economic growth with environmental protection
and social equity.
Community Empowerment: Eco brick initiatives often involve community participation and
engagement, empowering individuals to take ownership of waste management and environmental
stewardship. Community-led projects promote education and awareness about plastic pollution,
encouraging behaviour change and responsible consumption habits. Through collaborative efforts,
communities can transform waste into a valuable resource and foster a sense of pride in sustainable
practices.
 To develop an efficient way and to effectively utilize the waste plastics.
 To reduce the consumption of natural resources such as clay for the manufacturing of bricks.
 To minimize and reuse generation of waste plastic on the land and water to avoid land and water
degradation count and consequent pollution hazard.
 To produce cost-effective materials which a common person can afford easily.
 To reduce the plastic in waste streams saving non-SRI renewable resources.
 LITERATRE & REVIEWS

“Fabrication and testing of Plastic sand bricks” by S S Chauhan, Bhusan

Kumar, Prem Shankar Singh, Abuzaid Khan, Hrithik Goyal, Shivank Goyal
(2019).
They mixed the river sand and the PET plastic (molten form) in the ratio of 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 for mould size of (230*100*75)
mm for which they found maximum compressive strength on the ratio of 1:2 mixture for the same size of the bricks. The
water absorption of these bricks was observed less than 5% that is less than conventional clay bricks i.e. 15-20%. However,
they failed in maintaining fire resistance property of these bricks.

“Utilization of plastic waste in manufacturing of plastic sand bricks.” By Arvind

Singhal, Dr. Om Prakash Netula (2018)
They used the mixture of plastic and stone dust in the molten form in the ratio of 3:7 in standard brick mould for which
stone dust was sieved through 4.75 mm using sieve analysis and conducted test on water absorption to be found as 0%.
Compressive strength of plastic sand bricks is 5.6 N/mm2 at the compressive load of 96 KN.
“Plastic in Brick Application.” By Siti Nabilah Amir & Nur Zulaikha Yusof
(2018)
The studies showed the possibility of using plastic as binder with the aid of catalyst through depolymerisation of PET to
replace cement. It was observed that a significant decrease in compressive strength is observed for more than 50%
replacement of binder with PET waste. With increased amount of PET, the softening point of the bricks produced was
also increased. They used the different size of moulds like (150*150*150) mm, (200*100*100) mm etc.

Ronak Shah, Himanshu Garg, Parth Gandhi, Rashmi Patil, Anand Daftardar
(2017).
They used plastic dust as the main component of waste product which is the by – product of many industrial products
such as PVC pipes and they have heated plastic dust at 220℃. The final product from plastic dust was tested for the
compressive strength and it was observed as 6.66 N/mm2 which is higher than conventional bricks (3-5 N/mm^2).
The above studies suggest that utilization of plastic waste has good potential in brick manufacturing. Plastic sand bricks
also have certain benefits over traditional bricks, particularly in terms of compressive strength, water absorption, and
efflorescence. However, the prior studies have not focused on the specific gravity test of plastic and sand, penetration
test and FTIR analysis of plastic, split tensile strength test, and thermal resistant test of the brick sample.
 MATERIALS USED
SAND:
Common river sand having specific gravity of 2.56 and fineness modulus of 2.805 is used .
PROPERTIES OF FINE AGGREGATE
TABLE 1: Physical Characteristics of Fine Aggregate

PARTICULARS TEST RESULTS

Specific gravity 2.56

Apparent specific gravity 2.7

Water absorption 1.98

Bulk density 1.497 kg/L

Finess modulus 2.805

DENSITY OF POLYETHYLINE
When exposed to ambient solar radiation the plastic procedure two greenhouse gases, methane and ethylene. Due to its
low-density properties (branching) it breaks down more easily over time, leading to higher surface areas. The supply of
glasses shall be of diagonal gases from virgin LDPE increase with surface area or time, with rates at the end of a 212day
incubation of 5.8 nmol g- 1 d-1 of methane, 14.5 nmol g-1 d-1 of ethylene, 3.9 nmol g-1 d1 of ethane and 9.7 nmol g-1 d-
1 of propylene. In case of air it was incubated, LDPE releases gases in air by ~2 times and ~76 times higher in comparison
to water for methane and ethylene, respectively.
Low density polyethylene, obtained from waste plastic bags, packaging materials, plastic bottles having density of 0.91-
0.94 g/cm3, melting point at about 115 degrees centigrade is used.

Table of Properties of Plastic Polyethylene

METHODOLOGY

Collection of
Batching Melting Mixing Moulding
Materials.

Curing
Collection of Plastic Materials
The plastic material should be collected from the factories waste and hospital waste and industries waste and also food
packages and plastic bottles this will come under the LDPE plastic type.

Batching of plastic
Measurement of materials for making brick is called batching. After collection of materials, we separate the types of plastic
and remove any other waste presented in the collected material and check that any water content in in sample collected
ten proceed for burning.
Burning of waste plastic
After completion batching the plastic waste was taken for burning in which the plastic bags are drop one by one into the
container and allowed to melt. These would be done in closed vessel because to prevent the toxic gases released into
atmosphere. These will be at the temperature of 120-150 degrees centigrade.
Mixing
Mixing of materials is essential for the production of uniform and strength for brick. The mixing has to be ensuring that the
mass becomes homogeneous, uniform in colour and consistency. Generally, there are two types of mixing, Hand mixing and
mechanical mixing. In this project, we adopted hand mixing. Until the entire plastic content required for making plastic brick
of one mix proportion is added into it. Then these plastic liquids thoroughly mixed by using trowel before it hardens. The
mixture has very short setting bags are turned to molten state; the river sand is added to it. The sand added is mixed time.
Hence mixing process should not consume more time.
Moulding
After completion of proper mixing, we place mix into required mould. In these projects we use the normal brick sizes
(19x9x9 cm). After 2 days remove the brick from the mould and then done curing.
 TESTING OF SPECIMEN
Compressive Strength Test:
This test is done to know the compressive strength of brick. It is also called the crushing strength of brick. Generally, 3
specimens of bricks are taken to laboratory for the testing and tested one by one. In this test, a brick specimen is put on
compressive strength is put on Compressive Strength testing machine and applied pressure at a constant rate till it
breaks. The ultimate pressure at which brick is crushed is taken into account. All three brick specimens are tested one by
one and average result is taken as bricks compressive/crushing strength. The Compressive Strength of the brick is
calculated by the formula = (max load taken before failure/ Area of the Brick surface) N/mm2.
Water Absorption Test:
In this the bricks first weighted in dry condition and they are immersed in water for 24 hours. After that they are taken
out from water and they are wiping out with cloth. Then the difference between the dry and wet bricks percentage are
calculated. They weight of the three plastic bricks has been taken and then the average weight of the bricks is
calculated.