ENTRY NO.

CIRCUIT BLOCK: INNOVATING E-WASTE RECYCLING INTO SUSTAINABLE

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

SUMMARY

To summarize, the Circuit Block offers a potential and unique answer to

the ever-growing problem of electronic waste. This concept, which converts e-

waste into useful construction materials, not only provides a sustainable

alternative to standard building materials but also tackles important

environmental concerns about waste management and recycling. With the

Philippines' large e-waste crisis, implementing such eco-friendly solutions might

significantly lessen the negative impact of electronic trash and benefit the

country's construction industry by supplying cost-effective and sustainable

building materials. Furthermore, the Circuit Block effort is consistent with global

sustainability goals, presenting prospects for future study, development, and

implementation. This project can influence the future of garbage by continuously

validating and collaborating with experts in diverse sectors.

 BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM

In the era of technology, electronic waste is one of the world's most

rapidly rising solid waste streams. E-waste is any discarded electronic product

but not limited to computers, mobile phones, large household appliances, and

medical equipment. E-waste contains various dangerous elements, including

heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, which can harm the environment

if improperly handled or recycled. Humans and animals are exposed to e-waste

elements through eating, inhalation, and skin contact. Several health problems

have been connected to electronic waste materials. The most vulnerable were

youngsters, pregnant people, and workers at primitive recycling plants (Alabi,

O.A., Adeoluwa, Y.M., Huo, X., 2021).

As the danger from e-waste rises, current technological advancements

and solutions impose common flaws; several e-waste programs fail because of a

lack of public awareness and participation in proper disposal methods,

insufficient collection systems, weak regulations, lack of sufficient economic

incentives for consumers, etc.

Researchers took these flaws in mind and created Circuit Block a machine

utilizing shredders and hydraulic presses to create hollow blocks from e-waste.

The method of making hollow blocks from e-waste begins with gathering and

classifying e-waste materials, such as plastics and printed circuit boards, and

then eliminating dangerous components. The e-waste is next shredded and

ground into small particles or fine powder to facilitate mixing. The next step is to

prepare a concrete mix of cement, sand, and aggregates, with some of the

aggregates substituted with processed e-waste. The slurry is put into hollow

block molds and crushed with a vibrating machine. Finally, the blocks are cured
for a set period to obtain the desired strength, producing an environmentally

beneficial building material.

 BENEFECIARIES

CircuitBlock offers benefits to many groups and individuals such as

communities, this idea can help local people by giving them proper e-waste

management solutions. CircuitBlock can also serve as a future foundation in the

building of houses and other real estate buildings. CircuitBlock also helps in the

preservation of our natural environment, as it will turn finely shredded waste into

a block for building houses and structures making house productions more

sustainable and eco-friendlier. In addition to that, Construction companies are

one of the biggest benefactors of this project as CircuitBlock is much cheaper

compared to a normal hollow block. This will also save them key materials for

making hollow blocks as shredded metals will be the alternative base. Lastly,

Future Researchers are the ones who will most benefit from this as this

prototype can offer them valuable insights into their studies.

 PROPOSED SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM PRESENTED

In a local setting, an article published by DigWatch (2024) states that the

Philippines grapples with a mounting e-waste crisis as figures soar to 537 million

kilograms in 2022, raising concerns over environmental and health hazards. To

minimize the environmental impact of e-waste and apply sustainability;

researchers took an innovative approach by turning electrical waste into useful

construction materials, specifically hollow blocks. Furthermore, The Philippines is

an important factor in the worldwide electronics value chain, particularly in

semiconductor and electronic product manufacture and assembly. The country

benefits from its skilled labor force and competitive prices. However, issues such

as dependency on foreign technology, and the need for infrastructural upgrades

persist. Policies that encourage local innovation, address labor difficulties, and

enhance environmental standards are critical to improving its position. (Aldaba

R., 2017).

Additionally, Due to a lack of recycling infrastructure, a significant quantity

of construction and demolition debris ends up in landfills, adding to

environmental damage. The lack of adequate garbage disposal facilities and

recycling systems exacerbates the problem, resulting in greater waste

accumulation and environmental degradation. (Manas, J. J. I., 2023).

Keeping these environmental challenges in mind, the researchers took the

initiative to conceptualize Circuit Block. Circuit Block is a hollow block created

from electronic waste, creating an environmentally friendly and robust approach.

The process of producing hollow blocks from e-waste starts with the collection

and sorting of electronic waste, such as plastics, printed circuit boards, and other

components, ensuring the removal of harmful materials. Once sorted, the e-

waste is shredded into smaller pieces or finely ground into powder to make it

easier to mix with other materials. The next step involves preparing a concrete

mixture, which consists of cement, sand, and aggregates, with a portion of the

aggregates replaced by the processed e-waste material. This mixture, or slurry,

is then poured into molds designed for hollow blocks. The slurry is compacted

using a vibrating machine to remove air pockets and ensure uniform distribution

of the materials. Once molded, the blocks are left to cure for a specific period,

allowing them to gain the necessary strength for construction purposes. By

utilizing e-waste in this way, the process not only creates a useful building

material but also helps address the growing issue of electronic waste by

recycling and repurposing it, making it an environmentally responsible solution

in the construction industry. This method offers a sustainable alternative to

traditional building materials while contributing to reducing e-waste and its

environmental impact.
 METHODS

The project will use a mixed-methods research strategy, combining

qualitative and quantitative methodologies, to assess the feasibility and impact

of Circuit Block, a sustainable construction material made from electronic waste

(e-waste). The research will be carried out in three stages: concept development,

experimental testing, and data analysis. Primary data will be acquired by

collecting and categorizing e-waste materials, conducting interviews with experts

in environmental science, civil engineering, and waste management, and

distributing questionnaires to construction businesses and workers. Secondary

data will be gathered by a thorough assessment of existing literature on e-waste

management, sustainable building materials, and applicable regulatory

legislation.

The study's materials and equipment include diverse e-waste materials

such as plastics and printed circuit boards, traditional construction materials

such as cement, sand, and aggregates, and specialist e-waste shredding and

hydraulic pressing technology. Concrete mixers will also be utilized to get the

slurry ready for molding. The experimental procedure will involve screening e-

waste to eliminate hazardous components, shredding it into smaller pieces, and

combining it with traditional construction materials to make hollow blocks. The

blocks will next be shaped, compacted, and cured to acquire the necessary

strength for construction purposes.

 Material Quantity Price

Wholesale Metal 1 set = 250cm x 118 cm PHP 8889

Shredder x 183cm

Hollow block mold 4pcs, size 4 = PHP 1724

10cmx20cmx40cm

Concrete Mixer 1pc= 2cf= 56633.7 cf PHP 6122

Holcim Cement 4pcs PHP 868

TOTAL PHP 17, 603

Table 1. Budget Proposal

*Prices are based on The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) standards*

The Circuit Block project's projected budget covers the materials and

equipment required to produce hollow blocks from e-waste. A Wholesale Metal

Shredder (PHP 8,889) is required to shred e-waste into small bits that can be

mixed with concrete. Hollow Block Molds (PHP 1,724), four sections measuring

10cm x 20cm x 40cm, will be utilized to create the blocks. A Concrete Mixer (PHP

6,122) is required for the proper mixing of e-waste materials, cement, sand, and

aggregates. Furthermore, Holcim Cement (PHP 868) will be employed as a

binding agent in the concrete mixture. The total cost of all equipment and

materials is PHP 17,603, which meets Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

guidelines for affordability and market alignment.

 Powdered Concrete Concrete mixer The final
Put the e wastes/metals mixtures will be mixture will be
wastes to the will mix all the
goes to the added to the substances put on the
metal shredder concrete mixer powder molders to sit

Fig. 1. Flowchart of the Project

In order to make a CircuitBlock, first you have to shred the wastes into a fine

metal powder. After that, the powder will be transferred to the concrete mixer

and then shall the other concrete mixture be added. Lastly, after the mixture is

done, it’ll be put to the molders dry off and wait for it to take the shape.
 REFERENCES

Aldaba, R. (2017). The Philippines and Electronics in the Global Value Chain. In R.

Aldaba (Ed.), Philippine Electronics in the Global Value Chain (pp. 1-15). Taylor &

Francis. [Link]

6/philippines-electronics-global-value-chain-rafaelita-aldaba

Alabi, O.A., Adeoluwa, Y.M., Huo, X., et al. (2021). Environmental contamination

and public health effects of electronic waste: an overview. Journal of

Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 19, 1209–1227.

[Link]

DigWatch. (2024). Philippines faces escalating e-waste crisis. Retrieved from

[Link]

Electronic Waste (e-waste) (2024). World Health Organization. Retrieved from

[Link]

fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3532-

6Hfx4HXgoCkfUqUx6qMP3bCH83Dox62XXiac_zhCwXDBDEu8XYLU_aem_FZnLscu

oygrmL9UG9eLI0g

Jung, S., Lee, S., Song, H., Tsang, Y. F., & Kwon, E. E. (2022). Sustainable

Valorization of E-Waste Plastic through Catalytic Pyrolysis Using CO2. ACS

Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.

[Link]
Manas, J. J. I. (2023). Top 5 waste management challenges in the Philippines and

how to solve them. Retrieved from [Link]

management-challenges-in-the-philippines-and-how-to-solve-them/?

Fig 2. Illustration

These machines are the key components for the production of

CircuitBlocks. The first one is the metal shredder to shred and turn the

scraps into a fine powder. Next is the concrete mixture, this is used to

mix all the substances used in making the CircuitBlock. Lastly is the

molder, where the final solution is put to dry off and take the shape of a

hollow block.