Creating Durable, Low Carbon Emission Concrete Through the Use of Recycled Materials

Overview

The global issue of plastic mismanagement causes constant pollution, water contamination, and environmental leakage; moreover, carbon emissions (such as from cement production —a key part of worldwide concrete manufacturing processes) continuously worsen Cl imate Change and Global Warming. Thus, this study hypothesized that currently wasted polyethylene terephthalate plastic (PET) could instead be converted into aggregates for use in concrete —thereby reducing global plastic waste. Furthermore, if these aggregates were combined with Fly Ash, a composite used to lower concrete’s cement content, it would create strong, low -emission concrete. To test this, twenty-one (four by eight inch (10.16 x 20.32 cm)) concrete cylinders were made with varying cement-to-Fly Ash and PET-to-gravel ratios. The PET was shredded and microwave -treated for increased constituent bondage, and concrete samples were cured for 135 days before their compressive strengths were measured. A total of 4,560 ordered pairs (strain, stress) were calculated from the data. The strongest mix (15% PET, 30% Fly Ash) withstood ≈11,720 lbs, while traditional concrete only withstood ≈5,355 lbs, supporting the hypothesis. Additionally, it reduced CO2 emissions (≈215.78 g vs. ≈305.51 g) and co st ($0.85 vs. $0.94) while recycling ≈0.96 cups of harmful plastic per cylinder. Based on current metrics, the 15% PET, 30% Fly Ash samples would cause: ≈760,000 t reduced emissions and ≈4,100,000,000 t reduced plastic waste over one year, and $12,870,000,000 in expenses reduction over the next five years, making this an effective and essential environmental solution.

Competition history

• JSHS 2025 Category not listed

Resources

• National JSHS abstract book ↗

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