RECYCLED AGGREGATES BASED ON PLASTIC WASTE FROM WEEE

LUCAS ERNESTO PEISIMO; ARIEL LEONARDO CAPPELLETTI; MELINA GÓMEZ; ROSANA GAGGINO; RAGGIOTTI, BÁRBARA BELÉN; JERÓNIMO KREIKER

Recycled Aggregates

Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Lugar: New York; Año: 2021; p. 51 - 96

Waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), for example small/bighome appliances, TVs, computers, smartphones, among others, became in a growingand significant pollution issue. WEEE is a complex mixture of materials andcomponents, and around 25% in weight is plastic. The plastic components of WEEE(WEEEP) contains about a 30-35% of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, 20-25% of high impact polystyrene, 20-30% polypropylene and 10% of polycarbonate. The presence of hazardous metals, metalloids and flame retardants has a negative impact on the recycle of WEEEP, despite of their potential of been reused. However, since the volume of this waste is continuously growing, its toxicity produces a rising negative impact in the environment and in consequence in human health, so new technologies to revalue these wastes are necessary, but without toxic consequences. Countless examples can be found from the use of WEEEP as aggregate to cement mixtures, but without considering its potential polluting power. In order to diminish the WEEE pollution problem and to bring a practical response to be able to turn this waste into a suitable and not harmful material, a novel stabilization strategy has been developed, which consist in the manufacture of a recycled plastic aggregate (RPA) for constructionindustry. The aggregate is based on the Core-Shell concept, which implies theuse of a grinded WEEEP (core) with several layers of a mixture of cement and activated charcoal (shell). The technology developed is simple and robust with low cost equipment and a factory with basic infrastructure.The Core-Shell strategy, produces the stabilization of the hazardous compounds,mainly the BFRs, that have not been stabilized in the cement matrix. The mechanical properties, together with the physical characteristic of the RPA obtained in this research work, position it as an excellent alternative to be used as aggregate in replace of sand in cement mortar or for the manufacture of building component such as bricks, isolating plates or precast concrete building components.