Development of Cement-Based Floor Tiles Incorporating Sawdust and Glass Waste as Sustainable, Low-Cost Construction Materials

This study tackles global waste management concerns and the challenges posed by excessive sand extraction in the construction industry by developing sustainable cement-based floor tiles. It explores the use of sawdust and crushed glass as alternative fine aggregates in three mix ratios—1:1:2, 1:2:1, and 2:1:1 (cement:sawdust:crushed glass)—for 30 cm x 30 cm x 10 mm tiles.The 1:1:2 mix, which includes 50% crushed glass, delivered the most promising results. It achieved the highest density (2297.778 kg/m³), passed water absorption standards for indoor use, showed excellent fire resistance with only 4.663% weight loss at 650°C, and reached a flexural strength of 4.50 N/mm², meeting European standards for tiles of this size. All samples also passed chemical and impact resistance tests, with findings indicating strong potential for use as indoor flooring material.Economically, the use of locally sourced and recycled materials brought the production cost down to ₱10.55 per tile. With a selling price of ₱20.00, each tile yields a ₱9.45 profit—an 89.6% mark-up—demonstrating strong commercial viability.This research supports four United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), by promoting eco-friendly construction practices, responsible resource use, and waste reduction.