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Utilization of E-waste in Concrete and its Environmental Impact - A Review

Conference Paper · January 2018

DOI: 10.1109/ICSCET.2018.8537301

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 Utilization of E-waste in Concrete and its
Environmental Impact - A Review
Md. Masuduzzaman Shishir Kumar Sikder Amit Md. Alauddin
UG Student, Dept. of Mechanical UG Student, Dept. of Civil UG Student, Dept. of Civil
Engineering, Chittagong University Engineering, Chittagong University Engineering, Chittagong University
of Engineering and Technology, of Engineering and Technology, of Engineering and Technology,
Chittagong-4349, Bangladesh. Chittagong-4349, Bangladesh. Chittagong-4349, Bangladesh.
E-mail: zaman.masud37@gmail.com E-mail: shishirce12@gmail.com E-mail: alauddince14@gmail.com

Abstract— Electronic waste or e-waste defines rejected electrical
or electronic devices. Secondhand electronics which are destined
for recover, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal are also
considered e-waste. Electronic waste is an emerging concern
posing serious contamination problems to the human and the
environment. E-waste disposal is a typical task for whole over the
world. Utilization of E-waste materials is a partial solution to
environmental and ecological problems. Due to large amount of
concrete use as the construction material availability of raw
material is being questioned. Therefore, other replacing
materials are needed to be finding out. E-waste is used as one
such alternative for aggregate in concrete. This paper
presents a summary on probable use of E-waste in concrete on
the basis of different researchers and it marches strong
possibility of E-waste being used as additional of aggregate as
well as environmental impact. The use of natural aggregates in
concrete will be decreased if different types of by-product is used
in concrete as a substitute material. And it is more important to
renovate the waste material.
Keywords— E-waste, Concrete, Waste management,
Environmental Pollution.
I. INTRODUCTION
In the present-day scenario, no construction movement can be
imagined without using concrete. Concrete is the most broadly
used building material in construction industry. Because, It
has high strength and durability. Currently, the world is
progressing too fast and our environment is moving
progressively. Today, the world is advancing too fast and our
environment is changing progressively. So, Attention is being
concentrate on the environment and protection of natural
resources and reprocessing of wastes materials. Therefore,
manufacturing industry is one of the foremost carbon dioxide
emitting sources besides deforestation and burning of fossil
fuels and concrete industry is one of the largest consumers of
natural virgin materials (Amit et. Al). The sustainable
industrial production in the 21st century is facing two major
problem that reducing carbon dioxide emissions and recycling
of waste materials. In order to reduce cost and environmental
effect construction industry and cement manufacturing
company needs an alternative source for full filling the
demand of sustainable construction materials. Due to
increasing population a large demand placed on building
construction has caused a enduring regional shortage of
building materials. One of the new waste materials used in the
concrete industry is E-waste. The use of E-waste in concrete
industry is measured as the most viable application for
soothing the disposal of large amount of E-waste materials. E-
waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world.
The production rate of E-waste in developed countries rises
from 1% to 2%. Total municipal solid waste in developing
countries ranges from 0.01% to 1%. Suchlike, the increasing
of E-waste is an emerging issue as well as it carriages serious
pollution problems to the human life. So, considering the
environment options it needs to be measured especially on
recycling concepts. E- Waste describes loosely rejected
surplus, outdated, broken, electrical or electronic devices. The
major cause of fast growing surplus of electronic waste around
the globe is that Rapid technology change and low initial cost.
For that reasons, several tones of E-waste need to be disposed
per year. E-waste can create serious human health problem
due to presence of numerous types of substances and
environment problems if not handled properly. Owing to the
shortage of coarse aggregate for the groundwork of concrete,
partial replacement of E-waste with coarse was struggled in
many research. This study reviewed the potential use of
electronic waste in concrete as well as its environmental
impact.
II. METHODS OF DISPOSAL OF E-WASTE
The E-waste usually disposed of in the following ways.
A. Land Fill
Landfill refers to a place for the disposal of waste materials by
burial and the oldest form of waste treatment. Historically,
landfills have been the most public technique of prearranged
waste disposal and endure so in many spaces around the
world. Elements of E-waste is most often dumped into
landfills. Over time, the e-waste has some leaching properties
which helps to certain amount of chemical and metal leaching.
This can very often lead to ground water contamination.
B. Incineration
Incineration is another process to dispose E-waste by burning.
Incineration refers to a waste treatment process in where
incinerate the waste materials by applying thermal treatment
process. It converts the e-waste into ash, flu gas and heat. It is
such type of operation where toxic gases like dioxins emerges
and outflow to the atmosphere and pollute it.
IV. LITERATURE REVIEW
C. Reuse
Wastelands printed circuit boards (pcbs) consists of almost
About 3%-5% of the computers that have been rejected by 30% metals and 70% nonmetals. It comprises huge amount of
their users are reused. Reuse refers to the use of product after silica in its polished form. Hereafter it forms the perfect
first hand either direct second hand use or use after negligible auxiliary material of fine aggregate in concrete, it can also
modification. In developing countries most of the non- reduce the dead weight of the structure. The pcbs are sluggish
working ancient computers are repaired and resold for profit. in nature which makes it as a compulsory component in all the
Obviously, such types of older units have limited life span and electronic devices. It gives intent to its inert nature, this are not
finally end up as a waste product today or tomorrow. participate to any further reaction with the concrete matrix.
D. Recycling These are gives less deviation in strength parameters (Shini
Shanmughan et al.).
In order to struggle the environmental impact of inappropriate
This study scrutinized the Flexural strength and flexural
electronic waste disposal many organizations have opted to
modulus of the composites can be successfully amended by
recycle their old technology. Recycling is the process of
filling nonmetals secondhand from waste printed circuit
converting waste materials into new materials. When the reuse
boards (PCBs) into polypropylene (PP). By using scanning
of e-waste has been exhausted, then the next step is
electron microscopy (SEM), the influence of nonmetals on
considering that is recycling process. It is a substitute to
fracture behavior of PP composites is evaluated by in situ
"conventional" waste disposal that can save material and emit
flexural test (Yanhong Zheng et al.)
a very negligible amount of greenhouse gas. However, the
This study scrutinized on the Application of E-Waste glass by
costs of recycling are high. It is necessary to arrive at a cost
Partial Replacement of sand in Concrete. They also tried to
effective and environmental friendly recycling process, which
find on the problems of environmental concern and economic
may be considered as the real need hour.
concern. They used the percentage of waste powder as 10%,
III. CHARACTERISTICS OF E-WASTE 20%, 30% and 40% by weight for M 25 mix as the
replacement of fine aggregates. Compressive strength,
The release of electronic waste in developing countries causes
durability (water absorption), splitting tensile strength, and
serious health and pollution Problems due to electronic density at 28 days of age have been tested over concrete
equipment comprises serious contaminants such as Mercury, specimen and obtained results associated with those of normal
Nickel, Silver, Zinc, lead, Cadmium, Beryllium, Arsenic,
concrete. Concluded that e-waste glass can be used as the
Copper, Chrome, Cobalt etc. This paper review only the non-
replacement of fine aggregate up to 30% by weight for particle
hazardous materials which is suitable in construction
size of range 0-1.18mm (M. Iqbal Malik et al).
industries. The most common materials are found in electrical
This study revealed with the utilize of E-glass waste in
and electronic equipment’s Iron and Steel and Plastic are the concrete as fine aggregate replacement. The result are
second largest component presents in electronic waste significantly decreases weight and strength loss, mostly for the
materials. Depending on chemical composition of e-waste, it
specimens with lower water/cement ratio when increase in E-
can be used as coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, fine filler in
glass content. The surface faults of tested specimens are also
concrete.
show a qualitative sign of sulfate attack. The confident
TABLE I. presents the physical properties of E-waste examined by different
outcome of E-glass on sulfate resistance of concrete is very
researchers. bulbous (Chen et al.).
This studied of paper with the direction of reuse of non-
Properties Suchithra Damal et Panneer Lakshmi metallic printed circuit boards from engendered E-waste. He
et al.2015 al. 2015 et et al. presented a review on the repossession and reuse of
al.2016 2010 nonmetallic materials recovered from waste PCBs. This study
Specific 1.9 1.2 1.44 1.01 has suggested that to use recovered nonmetals as construction
Gravity materials. Although, It considered as better than landfills and
Water 0.2 <0.2 Nil <0.2 incineration, but many enhancements are still needed to
absorption further study the possible reuse of this nonmetallic PCB waste
(%) into more gainful and everyday use (Johan Sohaili).
Color Dark and Brown and Dark & White States that waste electronic or E-waste and electrical
Ivory Dark Brown and Dark equipment is an emerging issue posturing serious pollution
Shape Angular Round and Angular Angular problems to the human as well as the environment. New active
cylindrical waste management options need to be considered especially
Crushing - <2% - <2% on recycling concepts. It has been found that almost 70% of
Value (%) the heavy metals (mercury and cadmium) come from
electronic waste and most of the part of it come from landfill
Impact - <2% - <2%
of e-waste. An effort has been made to detail a systematic
Value (%)
study of compressive strength of concrete with various
proportions of E-waste as coarse aggregate in concrete. From
the compressive strength tests, this research confirmed that no
main changes in compressive strength of concrete which was
found in test with the presence of E- plastic as percentage
replacement to coarse aggregate. However when 20% of the
coarse aggregate is replaced by electronic-plastic, the
compressive strength was reduced by 23.6% compared the
compressive strength was reduced by 23.6% compared to
control mix. In general strength gain of E-plastic concrete is
satisfactory and it has been concluded that 12% E-plastic
particles can be incorporated as aggregate replacement without
any long term detrimental effects (R. lakshmi,.2010).
Investigated that Concrete is the greatest widely used
construction materials all over the world in view of its
compressive strength, High mouldability, structural stability
and economic considerations. It decreases the cost, effort of
transportation and production as well as demand of new
resources. The main object of this project is to determine the
compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength and
bond strength by using fresh concrete material, waste concrete
material and E-waste material various mixes were prepared for
carrying out the research by varying the preparations of
cement, sand and aggregate designed for characteristic
strength of M25.The compressive strength was tested in
laboratory after 7 and 28 days. The main aim of this study
recommended the recycling of waste concrete and sand
material in the production of new concrete (S.P. Kale,.2013).
V. POTENTIAL USE OF E-WASTE IN CONCRETE
To find out suitable alternatives, E-waste is used as one such
alternative for coarse aggregate. Owing to scarcity of coarse
aggregate for the preparation of concrete, partial replacement
of E-waste with coarse aggregate was attempted. The work
was conducted on M20 grade mix. The replacement of coarse
aggregate with E-waste in the range of 0%,5%,10%,15% and
20 %. Finally the mechanical properties and durability of the
concrete mix specimen obtained from the addition of these
materials is compared with control concrete mix. The reuse of
electronic waste results in waste lessening and resources
conservation. This study used hard plastic waste particles as a
fine aggregate. It observed that when fine aggregate replaced
by electronic waste by the amount of 7.5%, then the
compressive strength of concrete found to be optimum.
Beyond that percentage of e-waste, the compressive strength
of concrete will decrease. Now it is identified that the E-waste
waste particles can be used as the construction material
(.Vivek S. Damal et al,.2015).
This study scrutinized about the study on replacement of
coarse aggregate by E-waste in concrete. The replacement of
coarse aggregate with E-waste in the range of 0%, 5%, 10%,
15%, and 20%. Finally the mechanical properties and
durability of the concrete mix specimens obtained from the
addition of these materials is compared with control concrete
mix. This study concluded that the addition of E-waste shows
increase in compressive strength up to 15% replacement as
well as it increases split tensile strength of concrete also
(Suchithra S et al.,2015).
This study reveals recycle of e-waste in concrete. They made
concrete specimens with partial replacement of E-waste on a
percentage of 10%, 20%, and 30% to coarse aggregate with
water cement ratio of 0.45. It can be concluded, coarse
aggregate can be replaced by 20% E-waste in concrete without
any long term detrimental effects and with satisfactory
strength development properties (Panneer Selvam et al.,2015).
The reuse of electronic waste materials in cement, concrete
and other construction materials helps not only recycling of
them but also helps to reduce the cost of cement and concrete
manufacturing. It has also benefits on lessening the landfill
cost, redeemable in energy, and shielding the environment
from possible pollution effects. Moreover, it also has some
subsidiary benefits on compressive strength, tensile strength
and flexural strength when used with concrete. Since the e-
waste is not suitable to replace fine aggregate it is used to
replace the coarse aggregate. The compressive strength and
split tensile strength of concrete containing e plastic aggregate
is retained more or less in comparison with controlled concrete
specimens. However strength noticeably decreased when the
e-plastic content was more than 20%. It has been
recommended, electronic waste can be used in concrete
without any long term negative effects and suggested that 20%
of E-waste aggregate can be incorporated as coarse aggregate
replacement in concrete with acceptable strength development
properties (R.lakshmi et al., 2011).
In this research, cement solidification method and high-
pressure compaction methods were explored for rendering the
printed wire boards(PWBs) into non-hazardous forms because
of safely disposed or used. It was suggested that cement
solidification is an effective way to renovate the waste PWBS
into environmentally gracious form that they can be disposed
of as an ordinary waste material (Xiaojunniu et al,.2007).
This study scrutinized on the study of E-plastic waste in
concrete. From the compressive strength tests, it has been
confirmed that no major changes found in the compressive
strength of concrete with the presence of E- plastic as
percentage replacement to coarse aggregate. This study found
that the compressive strength of concrete reduces 23.6%
compared to control mix when the replacement percentage is
20%. And also found that 12% replacement of aggregate by E-
plastic gives satisfactory result without any long term
detrimental effects (R.lakshmi et al.,2010).
VI. IMPACTS ON ENVIRONMENT
During land filling, hazardous compounds may spread to the
surrounding environment and nearby surface water,
groundwater, reservoirs and also evaporate to the atmosphere.
Exposure to e-waste might occur environment degrades and
pollution. There might be a lot of influences on the
environment due to e-waste, like contamination of air, water
and food supplies. Burning of e-waste creates air pollution
containing poisonous gases and heavy metal. E-waste also
creates soil pollution and then the ground become infertile to
produce crops. Bangladesh is blessed with many rivers,
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VII. CONCLUSION 1593.
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replacement in concrete. It has been found that strength Replacement of Fine Aggregates with E-Waste.
development pattern of E-waste concrete is analogous to that [15] Sohaili, J., Muniyandi, S. K., & Mohamad, S. S. (2011).
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