Packaging materials are used to protect consumer goods, such as food, drinks, cosmetics, healthcare items, and more, from harmful gases and physical and chemical damage during storage, distribution, and handling. Synthetic plastics are commonly used because they exhibit sufficient characteristics for packaging requirements, but their end lives result in environmental pollution, the depletion of landfill space, rising sea pollution, and more. These exist because of their poor biodegradability, limited recyclability, etc. There has been an increasing demand for replacing these polymers with bio-based biodegradable materials for a sustainable environment. Cellulosic nanomaterials have been proposed as a potential substitute in the preparation of packaging films. Nevertheless, their application is limited due to their poor properties, such as their barrier, thermal, and mechanical properties, to name a few. The barrier properties of materials play a pivotal role in extending and determining the shelf lives of packaged foods. Nanofillers have been used to enhance the barrier properties. This article reviews the literature on the barrier properties of cellulose/clay nanocomposite polymers. Cellulose extraction stages such as pretreatment, bleaching, and nanoparticle isolation are outlined, followed by cellulose modification methods. Finally, a brief discussion on nanofillers is provided, followed by an extensive literature review on the barrier properties of cellulose/clay nanocomposite polymers. Although similar reviews have been presented, the use of modification processes applied to cellulose, clay, and final nanocomposites to enhance the barrier properties has not been reviewed. Therefore, this article focuses on this scope.

This study analyses the performance properties of plastic-sand bricks through experimental work on the use of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and river sand in the first stage using six different sand: plastic ratios (60s:40p; 65s:35p; 70s:30p; 75s:25p; 80s:20p; 85s:15p) and in the second stage the effects of adding 1%, 5%, and 10% of Kaolin Clay. Five different tests were conducted to assess the bricks’ resistance to environmental factors. The key findings indicate that the lowest water absorption rate of 0.39% was achieved with a 60s:40p ratio, attributed to the addition of 10% Kaolin Clay. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that Kaolin Clay effectively fills voids between particles, enhancing the structural integrity and reducing water absorption of the brick samples. Electrical resistance readings indicated that all plastic-sand brick samples had a resistance of 0.01 ohms, classifying the composite material as an insulator. Contact angle tests demonstrated that all brick samples resisted immediate water absorption, and no alkali deposits were detected. The lowest linear burning rate was observed in the 75s:25p ratio with a 10% addition of Kaolin Clay. Overall, the findings suggest that HDPE plastic waste can be repurposed to produce eco-friendly plastic-sand bricks, significantly mitigating environmental plastic waste. These composite materials show promise for use as bricks, pavers, and other non-load-bearing applications in the construction industry, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. This research highlights the potential for HDPE based plastic-sand bricks to contribute to a more sustainable construction sector.

Plastics are a precious, versatile set of materials. The accumulation of plastic waste threatens the environment. Recycling plastic waste can produce many new products. The many opportunities for using plastic waste create pressure for a strategy to develop or improve current waste management systems to reduce the negative impact on humans, fauna and flora. The objective of this review paper is to consider an opportunity to recycle plastic; to convert plastic waste into plastic sand bricks. This would reduce the impact of the four emerging crises (plastic pollution, unemployment, the shortage of affordable housing and climate change) identified in South Africa as a threat to sustainability. This paper reviews studies utilising plastic waste to manufacture materials for the construction industry. The feasibility of using plastic waste to manufacture bricks revealed high compressive strength, low water absorption and weighed considerably lower compared to traditional bricks. Plastic sand bricks, therefore, can provide a solution that can be used to curb the four emerging crises and contribute to sustainability.