Utilization of Plastic Waste for Soil Stabilization: An Experimental Investigation on Clayey and Granular Soils

This study explores the feasibility of using plastic waste as a stabilizing agent to enhance the engineering properties of clayey and granular (C-Φ) soils. The research addresses two critical challenges: the need for sustainable soil stabilization techniques in construction and the growing environmental concern of plastic waste disposal. Soil samples were reinforced with plastic scraps at varying percentages, and their geotechnical properties, including compressive strength, shear strength, compaction characteristics, and index properties, were evaluated. The findings indicate that the addition of plastic waste improves the unconfined compressive strength of clayey soil, with optimal performance observed at specific reinforcement percentages. For granular soils, the inclusion of plastic scraps enhances shear strength parameters, such as cohesion and angle of internal friction, while influencing compaction behavior by altering maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. The study demonstrates that plastic waste can serve as an effective soil stabilizer, offering a dual advantage of improving soil performance for construction applications and providing an eco- friendly solution for plastic waste management. The results support the potential of this method in sustainable geotechnical engineering practices, particularly in regions with problematic soils or abundant plastic waste.