Introduction

Ratinale
The dual challenge of escalating plastic waste pollution and the persistent need for affordable
construction materialspresents a critical nexus for engineering and environmental innovation.
Globally, the production and disposal of plastic have created a planetary crisis, overwhelming
landfill capacities and polluting natural ecosystems (Jambeck et al., 2018; Schachter & Karasik,
2022). Simultaneously, the cost of conventional construction, particularly materials like concrete
hollow blocks (CHBs), remains a significant barrier to accessible and budget-friendly housing for
many communities (Amasuomo & Baird, 2016). This research proposes to investigate the viability of
repurposing plastic waste into alternative hollow blocks, thus simultaneously addressing a major
environmental hazard and offering a cost-effective building solution.

At a global scale, the utilization of plastic waste in construction materials is an emerging field,
driven by the urgency to manage the massive volumes of discarded polymers. Numerous studies
have explored incorporating various types of plastic waste into concrete, seeking to substitute
virgin aggregates. For instance, Tahir et al. (2022) and other researchers have suggested reusing
plastic wastes as a partial replacement for natural aggregates to reduce the exploitation of natural
resources and mitigate the negative environmental impacts of construction. This line of inquiry is
underpinned by the economic benefit of using a virtually zero-cost waste material, leading to
potentially lower-priced construction materials (Lazarevic et al., 2010). However, the global
discussion also urges caution, as highlighted in a review by Schachter & Karasik (2022), who warn
that while these efforts are often portrayed as "recycling," they can be a form of "greenwashing" or
downcycling, and they call for more research into long-term performance, potential microplastic
generation, and health impacts. The global consensus, therefore, points to the immense potential
of plastic waste as a construction material additive but stresses the need for context-specific,
rigorous testing to ensure performance and safety.

The Philippines provides a particularly critical context for this research. As one of the largest
contributors to ocean plastic waste globally, the nation grapples with a staggering environmental
crisis, generating approximately 2.7 million tons of plastic waste annually, with an estimated 20%
ending up in the ocean (World Bank, 2021). The dependence on single-use plastics, particularly in
the "sachet economy," exacerbates this problem (World Bank, 2021). This severe national pollution
problem is directly connected to the global crisis, as the Philippines' excessive plastic generation
contributes to the worldwide environmental hazard that global studies, like that of Schachter &
Karasik (2022), aim to find solutions for. Nationally, the need for cost-effective construction
remains high, where concrete hollow blocks (CHBs) are the most extensively used walling
material (SEPO, 2016), yet their cost is a persistent factor in housing affordability. This situation
establishes a perfect storm where the environmental waste problem can be viewed as a potential
resource for the economic construction challenge. The national studies thus align with the global
thrust of finding alternative destinations for plastic waste, adding a specific urgency due to the
magnitude of the country's pollution.

Locally in the Philippines, various small-scale initiatives and research have already attempted to
bridge this gap. For example, Paredes (2020) conducted a local study demonstrating that concrete
hollow blocks made with shredded Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) plastics as an additive can
achieve sufficient compressive strength, with one mix even showing higher durability than a
standard block. Another local case involves enterprises like Green Antz Builders, Inc., which have
developed "ecobricks" using shredded plastic sachets mixed with cement (Xinhua, 2019). Critically,
studies like Dolores et al. (2020) in the Philippines inferred that the strength of plastic material
could positively contribute to the compressive strength of CHB at low percentages of aggregate
replacement. These local findings resonate with the global findings of Tahir et al. (2022), who also
suggested that using plastic waste as fine aggregate is a viable option for reducing resource use.
However, while local studies affirm the technical viability and environmental benefit (waste
diversion), they often note a potential increase in cost for the recycled-plastic blocks (Compressive
Strength Study, IIARI, 2024), or they focus primarily on the technical performance (compressive
strength, durability) (Paredes, 2020), without a comprehensive and clear focus on the budget-
friendly aspect and the holistic optimization of the product for mass, low-cost adoption.

While existing global, national, and local studies have successfully established the technical
feasibility of incorporating plastic waste into construction materials like hollow blocks and have
proven its environmental benefit (waste diversion), a significant gap remains. Specifically, there is
an insufficient body of work that rigorously and explicitly focuses on optimizing the plastic-waste
hollow block formulation to be budget-friendly (i.e., cost-competitive with or cheaper than
commercial blocks) while maintaining the minimum acceptable structural integrity for non-load-
bearing applications in the local context. The current body of literature often notes either a cost
increase or a primary focus on strength, diverting attention from the core goal of mass, low-cost
application. This research intends to fill this gap by conducting a cost-benefit-performance
analysis to develop and validate an alternative hollow block that is both structurally adequate and
demonstrably more budget-friendly than current market alternatives in the Philippines.

The urgency of this research stems from the rapid acceleration of the Philippines’ environmental
crisis, particularly the unchecked generation of plastic waste, which contaminates the environment
and public health. Simultaneously, economic strain necessitates an immediate exploration of
affordable building materials to support sustainable and inclusive community development. By
focusing on a budget-friendly outcome, this study provides an immediately actionable, dual-
purpose solution: a novel destination for a problematic waste stream and a more accessible
material for construction. Failing to find cost-effective reuse solutions means plastic will continue to
accumulate, and affordable housing will remain out of reach for a significant portion of the
population.

The social relevance of this study is profound, impacting both environmental well-being and
economic equity. Environmentally, it provides a functional and scalable application for plastic
waste, transforming a major pollutant into a valuable resource, which directly supports the goal of
reducing marine plastic pollution (World Bank, 2021). Economically and socially, a truly budget-
friendly alternative hollow block will lower the barrier to entry for construction and housing,
particularly benefiting low-income families and community-led infrastructure projects. This
research, therefore, aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and
Production) and promotes a circular economy model that converts community waste into a resource
for community development, generating a positive feedback loop that fosters both environmental
stewardship and social upliftment.