Survey Paper on Recycling Products in Civil Engineering
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Abstract
The construction industry is a major consumer of natural resources and a key contributor to global carbon emissions. With the rapid growth of urbanisation and infrastructure demand, the generation of construction and demolition (C&D) waste has become a critical environmental issue. This study provides a comprehensive survey of recycling practices and sustainable materials in civil engineering, focusing on recycled concrete aggregates (RCA), waste plastics, recycled rubber, glass, and industrial by-products such as fly ash and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS). The review shows that RCA and industrial by-products can effectively replace conventional aggregates and cement, maintaining comparable strength and durability while reducing embodied carbon. Recycled plastics and rubber improve pavement flexibility and impact resistance, while recycled glass enhances aesthetics and surface quality when finely processed. Recent life-cycle assessments by Das, Rahman, and Hossain (2025) and Rahman, Das, and Hossain (2025) further confirm that integrating waste-derived materials reduces carbon emissions and supports circular economy principles. Overall, this study highlights that the use of recycled materials in civil engineering not only conserves natural resources but also aligns with global sustainability goals for low-carbon infrastructure.
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