The paper analyses the properties (chemical and mineral composition, microstructure, density, etc.) of recycled tannery sludge (TS) and the possibilities for using it in cement mortar mixture. Mortar specimens containing 3–12% of tannery sludge by weight of cement and 3–9% of tannery sludge by weight of sand were tested. Flowability, density, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), flexural and compressive strength, water absorption and sorptivity of the mortar were analysed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of tannery sludge and mortar are presented. The tests revealed that replacement of 6% of cement with tannery sludge in the mix increased flexural and compressive strength and UPV values, whereas water absorption decreased. SEM and XRD analysis revealed that specimens with tannery sludge contained lower amounts of ettringite and higher amounts of portlandite; the obtained structure was denser and contained more calcium hydrosilicates (C-S-H). Chromium leaching values in cement mortars were found not to exceed the limit values set forth in Directive 2003/33/EC.

Large amounts of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI BA) are formed worldwide, and this quantity is growing because of the establishment of new waste-to-energy plants. This waste is generally kept in landfills but can be used for the manufacturing of cementitious building materials. This article analyzes the use of MSWI BA as a microfiller in cement mortars. The effects of MSWI BA on the properties of cement binder and mortar were analyzed by using them separately or in combination with other microfillers: milled quartz sand, metakaolin, milled glass, and microsilica. This article investigates the flowability of cement-based mixtures, the volume change as a result of the evolution of hydrogen gas, cement hydration, XRD, TG, the physical and mechanical properties of the mortar samples, and leaching. The addition of milled MSWI BA in cement mortars was found to significantly increase slump flow; therefore, MSWI BA can be used as a microfiller. The addition of metakaolin changed the kinetics of H₂, which evolved due to the reaction between Al and alkali, and had a positive effect on the mechanical properties of cement mortar.