Potential use of recycled plastic and rubber aggregate in cementitious materials for sustainable construction: A review

The increased awareness of the environment has contributed to concerns regarding our indiscriminate disposal of plastic and rubber wastes that cause landfill problems. During the previous decade, scholars have been striving to handle this complex issue more actively. Discussed here are our efforts to tackle the issue of wastes, particularly plastic and rubber wastes. These initiatives have begun to show encouraging outcomes. Hence, recycling waste plastic and rubber and utilizing it as a sustainable aggregate in concrete would be a better strategy. However, it is critical to understand the various aspects of their implementation and the associated barriers. This study adopted a scientometric analysis approach in conjunction with the comprehensive review of the literature on the use of recycled plastic and rubber as an aggregate substitute. A scientometric analysis can evaluate the various aspects of the vast literature using suitable software. The sources of publications, keywords, articles, and countries were assessed as part of the scientometric analysis. Additionally, the effect of recycled plastic and rubber aggregates on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete is addressed in detail, as well as their durability, functional, and microstructural properties. Sustainable construction materials can be made by substituting recycled waste plastic and rubber for aggregate in concrete. Incorporating these recycled aggregates has a deleterious effect on the strength properties of composites. However, these recycled aggregates have the potential to improve various material properties and can be employed in lightweight, thermal, and sound-insulating composites. Additionally, this study discussed the limitations of using recycled waste plastic and rubber in construction and provided recommendations for future research.