Environmental risks of using recycled crushed glass in road applications

Abstract

Recycled crushed glass is the main by-product of the glass recycling industry. Insufficient knowledge of the geotechnical characteristics of recycled glass and its environmental risks are the primary barriers in its application in road works. An extensive suite of geotechnical and environmental tests were undertaken on two common types of recycled crushed glass (fine recycled glass and medium recycled glass) to study the potential of using them in road works as alternatives to natural aggregates. Recycled glass was found to exhibit either equivalent or superior workability, hydraulic conductivity and shear strength to natural aggregates within the same soil classification and demonstrated th..