Sustainability in Civil Construction and SDG 12: The Feasibility of Incorporating Plastic Waste Into Concrete

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Objective: o analyze the effects of incorporating polypropylene raffia plastic waste on the water absorption and tensile strength of cementitious composites. Theoretical Framework: This research is based on principles of sustainability in civil engineering and waste management, highlighting the reuse of plastics as a strategy to mitigate environmental impacts. Previous studies indicate that plastic waste, due to its non-reactive and hydrophobic properties, alters the microstructure of the cementitious matrix, increasing porosity and reducing mechanical performance. Method: The experiment was conducted at the Civil Engineering Laboratory of UNIARP (Brazil). Cylindrical specimens (10 × 20 cm) were produced with different replacement levels of polypropylene raffia waste (PPW): 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. Water absorption was determined according to NBR 9778, while tensile strength was assessed in accordance with NBR 7215. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p ≤ 0.05). Results and Discussion: The results demonstrated that the addition of plastic waste led to higher water absorption and lower tensile strength with increasing replacement levels. Up to 5% PPW, the performance was statistically comparable to the control. From 10% onwards, however, there was a significant reduction in strength and a notable increase in permeability, attributed to reduced compactness and weak interfacial bonding between the waste and the cement paste. Research Implications: The findings suggest that raffia plastic waste can be incorporated into cementitious composites, especially for non-structural applications, thereby contributing to sustainable waste management and more efficient resource use. Originality/Value: This study advances scientific knowledge by presenting new evidence on the technical feasibility of using raffia plastic waste in concrete, reinforcing the relevance of circular economy strategies in civil construction, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production.

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