Improving sustainability with plastic waste in buildings: cost comparison in semi-arid regions

Sustainability is defined as the process of developing and responsibly sustaining a healthy built environment based on resource-efficient and ecological principles. When it comes to sustainability, earthen construction is a good choice because of its minimal carbon impact and lower operating expenses. This study investigates the cost comparison between Alker and a reinforced concrete office with a dimension of 6 × 6 m. Alker is a stabilised form of earthen building. Based on the dry weight of the soil, it contains 10% gypsum, 2% lime, and 20%–22% water. Shredded plastic waste (SPW) was added to Alker to improve its properties with the addition of the environmental effect of plastic waste. The results showed that the office built with reinforced concrete had a total cost of ₺;119 348.57 (€6630), whereas the building built with Alker materials had a total cost of ₺;103 474.19 (€5748). Therefore, offices built with Alker’s added SPW are 13% cheaper than offices built with reinforced concrete. Alker modified with shredded plastic waste has been demonstrated to be a sustainable building material with enhanced properties.