Development of Interlocking Tiles from Recycled Plastic Waste Bottles

Plastic waste constitutes a major environmental challenge, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions such asMakurdi, Nigeria. In this study, recycled plastic waste bottles, predominantly high-density polyethylene(HDPE), were utilized as a binding material for the production of eco-friendly interlocking tiles, with riversand sourced from River Benue serving as the fine aggregate. Interlocking tile molds of suitable geometrywere fabricated, and different mix proportions of plastic and sand were experimentally investigated. The production process involved sorting, cleaning, shredding, melting at a temperature of 300°C, andhomogenously mixing the constituents before casting and compaction in molds. The key engineeringproperties evaluated included flexural strength, compressive strength, density, and water absorption. Theresults showed that the optimum mix proportion of 70% plastic and 30% sand yielded the best performance,achieving a flexural strength of approximately 15.0–15.5 MPa and compressive strength in the range of 15–18MPa. Additionally, the produced tiles exhibited zero water absorption due to the impermeable nature of theplastic matrix, and a relatively low density of about 1050–1100 kg/m³, classifying them as lightweightcompared to conventional cement-based tiles. The findings indicate that recycled plastic interlocking tilespossess favorable mechanical and durability characteristics, making them suitable for applications such aswalkways, pavements, and landscaping. The study concludes that recycled plastic waste can be effectivelyrepurposed as a sustainable construction material, offering both environmental benefits and a viablealternative to traditional cement-based products.