The Evaluation of the Use PET and HDPE Plastic Waste as Coarse Aggregate of Lightweight Concrete

Abstract

The use of goods with plastic-based materials is familiar to society in general. Good for wrapping food, drinks, groceries, and others. Because of so much use, the problem of plastic waste cannot be avoided.  Therefore, the purpose of this study is to overcome environmental land problems due to plastic waste. This research focuses on how to apply PET (Poly-Ethylene Terephthalate) and HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) plastic waste to concrete mixtures. PET plastic waste that has been chopped is then heated until melted then poured into molds and allowed to cool and harden. Then crushed and substituted as much as 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% replace the coarse aggregate to improve the characteristics of concrete. The results showed that the use of PET and HDPE in concrete resulted in decreased fill weight, lighter concrete weight, reduced compressive strength, and gave an optimum value of tensile strength at a variation of 10%.  The use of PET plastic has a greater absorption value than HDPE, while the tensile strength value of PET is smaller than HDPE.  Overall, it is concluded that PET and HDPE plastics have a big role in reducing the problem of plastic waste in the community