Building With Recycled Plastic Materials: Designing Modular Housing and Exploring Circular Solutions

Abstract

One of the challenges for the recycling industry is the lack of sufficient (specific) recycling applications for materials recovered from plastic waste streams. This research explores the potential of recycled plastic materials, particularly polyethylene-aluminum (PolyAl) and mixed plastics (DKR350), for use in construction, focusing on post-consumer, source-separated waste streams. As plastic waste is a major environmental challenge, the construction industry offers an opportunity to reuse these materials. The study examines the technical performance, design flexibility, environmental sustainability and economic viability of PolyAl and mixed plastics and compares them with traditional materials (wood, concrete and steel). It also evaluates how different production techniques affect the properties and applications of these recycled materials in construction. The central research question is: "What recycled plastic materials and related production techniques are available to be used in housing design and construction?". By addressing barriers to the application of recycled plastics, this research aims to promote circular economy initiatives and encourage the use of recycled materials in sustainable, environmentally responsible modular housing solutions.