Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee YB Scientific in association with R&D Solutions has developed a process to produce cement free paver blocks and wall tiles from waste polythene packets, milk packets and oil packets in an eco-friendly manner. Named as PRAYASPR, it could be an attractive option for the management of plastic waste by waste producers as per the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2021, says the institute.
These products also have better interlocking and aesthetic appearance, longer lifetime. The Institute said they are unbreakable and have a fair resale value. Team member, Prof Prasenjit Mandal, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Roorkee explained that the technology involves “recycling of waste polythene packets for development of cement cum paver blocks taking the sustainable route. Plastic packets are first grinded to form granules”. which are then softened by mixing with additives and further made into a slurry which is then molded in a hydraulic press to form blocks.”
“The products can be used in an eco-friendly manner in manufacturing of campuses, memorial complexes, landscapes, public gardens and parks, domestic drives, paths and floor tiles,” Mandal said.
About 250 grams of waste plastic is used to prepare one paver block and about 1.5 kg of waste plastic would be required to cover 1 square foot of surface area. The production cost, per piece, is around Rs 7-8. “The tiles will be more economical as compared to paver blocks with around Rs 14 per square foot of production cost,” he said.
The team members included Professor Prasenjit Mandal, Hemant Goyal, Navneeta Lal, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Roorkee and Yash Dua, YB Scientific R&D Solutions Roorkee, Ramnagar.
Pointing out the need for PRAYASPR, Yash Dua, YB Scientific R&D Solution Roorkee, Ramnagar said, “Plastic waste generated in India was close to 34 lakh tonnes in the year 2019-20 with an annual growth of over 21 per cent . And this plastic waste contains low density polyethylene (LDPE) which causes problems by choking sewer lines. In addition, waste plastic in India forms litter widely on the landscape due to lack of proper management techniques generating harmful environmental consequences. Thus, a sustainable path for waste plastic management was a necessity which has been realized with PRAYASPR under the aegis of IIT Roorkee.”
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