Recycled Plastic Building Material Could Replace Concrete, Steel and Timber

A UK-based company called i-plas has invented a building material—also called i-plas—made from recycled plastic that could replace concrete, steel, and timber. I-plas can make use of any type of plastic waste except for PVC and thermoset.

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According to i-plas (the company), producing 1 ton of i-plas (the product) from landfill waste saves 1.66 tons of CO2 emissions. In contrast, producing 1 ton of concrete generates nearly a ton of CO2.

I-plas can be used for bridges, walls, fences, footpaths, and more. It doesn’t splinter or chip and requires no varnishing or coating since it is moisture-resistant. The fungible material can be made either hard or soft depending on the waste materials used in its production.

You can expect to see more of i-plas in the near future— the company is planning seven new production facilities and hopes to supply the 2012 Olympics.

Photo Credit: sciencefriday.com

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