The use of waste Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastics for wall cladding materials in Mbeya Tanzania

This study explores the use of PET plastic wastes as a binder for making wall cladding in Tanzania. Traditional wall cladding materials used for construction are marbles, industrial porcelain, steel, glass panels etc. These materials have relatively higher prices for medium and low-income people in Tanzania. Plastic wastes are none degradable when dumped on sites and they contribute to environmental pollution. The use of PET plastics for making wall cladding will reduce tonnage of waste PET on site and reduce cost of construction materials. Characterization of materials and strength tests of specimens made from hot mixing of PET plastics and sand were conducted under laboratory condition. This research demonstrates the feasibility of transforming PET waste into a durable construction resource. A composite material was fabricated using recycled PET plastic and sand in various mix ratios (1:4, 3:7, 2:3, 1:1 and 3:2) under controlled temperature of 250°C. Specimens were tested for density, water absorption, compressive strength, and impact strength. Experimental results revealed that sand with a silica content of at least 84.8% is suitable for making wall cladding. The results indicated that specimens with mix proportions of 1:1 PET and sand exhibited low water absorption of 0.84%, high compressive strength of 17MPa and high Impact strength which indicated no defects up to 1.494 Joules. For this study therefore, wall cladding composites mixed at a ratio of 50% PET plastic and 50% sand indicated promising results. By utilizing PET waste, this research offers a promising solution for reducing plastic pollution, due to plastic wastes, promoting sustainable construction practices and reducing construction costs in Tanzania. Keywords: Polyethylene Terephthalate, PET Bottles, Plastic Waste, Composite Wall Cladding, Plastic Recycling, Environment.