Utilization of Waste Paper in Construction: A Review on Papercrete Bricks

Abstract

The construction industry is currently at a critical juncture, facing the dual challenges of environmental degradation caused by conventional material production and the escalating crisis of solid waste management. \"Papercrete,\" a composite building material comprising re-pulped waste paper, cement, sand, and water, presents a sustainable solution to these issues. This paper provides a detailed review of the state-of-the-art research on Papercrete, categorizing existing knowledge on mix designs, manufacturing methodologies, and engineering properties. The review highlights that while Papercrete significantly reduces the dead load of structures (by up to 40%) and offers superior thermal insulation compared to burnt clay bricks, it exhibits limitations in compressive strength and water impermeability. This paper critically analyzes these trade-offs and identifies Papercrete as a viable, low-cost material for non-load-bearing applications,

Introduction

Infrastructure growth drives economic development but heavily consumes natural resources. Traditional red clay bricks contribute to topsoil depletion, land degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions, while municipal solid waste—especially paper—is increasingly generated. Papercrete, a lightweight composite made from waste paper and cement, offers an eco-friendly alternative by recycling paper into construction materials, reducing landfill burden and locking carbon in buildings.

Composition and Types:

1. Papercrete: Paper pulp + cement + sand (most common for bricks).

2. Fidobe: Paper pulp + clay + water (cement-free, eco-friendly, low water resistance).

3. Fibrous Concrete: Concrete with 2–5% paper pulp to reduce shrinkage cracks.

Manufacturing Process:

• Pulp Generation: Soak and mechanically blend waste paper into slurry.

• Mix Proportioning: Optimal volumetric ratio is ~1:1:0.5 (Paper:Sand:Cement).

• Casting & Compaction: Manual molding or hydraulic pressing.

• Curing: Sun-dry first, then standard water curing for cement hydration.

Properties:

• Strength: 2.5–5 MPa (non-load-bearing, suitable for partition walls).

• Failure Mode: Ductile; fibers bridge cracks, enhancing safety in seismic zones.

• Water Absorption: High (20–35%), requiring plastering or waterproofing.

• Thermal & Acoustic Insulation: High R-value and effective sound absorption.

• Fire Resistance: Cement coating prevents rapid burning.

Comparison with Conventional Bricks:

• Lower density (1000–1200 kg/m³), lower strength (2.5–4.5 MPa), ductile, and low-cost.

• Traditional red clay bricks are stronger but brittle and environmentally taxing.

Challenges & Future Scope:

• Lack of standardization and industrial-scale mechanization.

• Durability improvements needed (e.g., reducing water absorption using additives like Nano-Silica or latex polymers).

Conclusion

The review of existing literature confirms that Papercrete is a viable, eco-friendly alternative construction material. Its primary advantages lie in its lightweight nature, thermal insulation, and waste utilization potential. While it cannot replace reinforced concrete for load-bearing columns, it is an excellent substitute for burnt clay bricks in partition walls and infill panels. Adopting Papercrete would not only reduce the cost of construction but also contribute significantly to solving the global waste paper disposal crisis.

References

[1] Chandurkar, P., & Naik, R. (2007). “Experimental Analysis of Papercrete Bricks.” International Journal of Civil Engineering Research, 4(2), pp. 12-19. [2] Rathi, V. R., & Khandve, P. V. (2019). “Study of Papercrete Bricks using Fly Ash and Rice Husk Ash.” Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 6(5). [3] Fuller, B. J., & Fafitis, A. (2006). “Structural Properties of a New Material Made of Waste Paper and Cement.” Proceedings of the ASCE Civil Engineering Conference. [4] Akinwumi, I. I., et al. (2014). “Structural Evaluation of Lightweight Concrete Produced Using Waste Paper and Admixtures.” Journal of Sustainable Construction, 3(1). [5] Solberg, G. (2000). Building with Papercrete and Paper Adobe. Remedial Planet Press. [6] IS 3495 (1992). “Methods of tests of burnt clay building bricks.” Bureau of Indian Standards.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Chaitali Meshram, Tuhin Mandal, Shlok Rambhad, Ved Bisen, Prof. Archana Mahajan. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.