Building greener bricks with Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

Concrete and bricks are fundamental to contemporary construction; however, their manufacturing processes generate significant carbon emissions. With the increasing demand for bricks, the construction sector requires sustainable alternatives. Mitigating plastic waste could represent a novel environmental remedy. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), a plastic utilised in water bottles, can potentially diminish waste and enhance brick performance as a sustainable additive. This study investigated the incorporation of PET in concrete bricks to mitigate plastic waste and enhance durability. PET can partially substitute fine aggregate in bricks, enhancing their strength and environmental sustainability. Bricks were manufactured using an experimental method with different PET content levels (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%) and subsequently cured for up to 28 days. Each variation underwent testing for compressive strength and water absorption to determine the optimal PET ratio for resilient, durable bricks.