EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE USE OF PLASTIC WASTE AND SAWDUST FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOSITE BOARD AS REPLACEMENT FOR PARTICLE BOARD

Plastic waste is a growing environmental problem, and finding new ways to manage it is crucial. This study explores an innovative solution by using plastic waste and sawdust to create composite boards as an eco-friendly alternative and to test their performance for potential use in various applications. In this experiment, composite boards with different ratios of plastic waste and sawdust, such as 7:3, 3:2, and 1:1 were created. The use of a compression molding technique was adopted as the production process. The construction of a compression molding machine involves several essential components, such as a frame, a heating element, a mold, and a press system, which is a hydraulic system. The frame acts as the main structure support for the entire machine. The mold, which consists of two parts, holds the material and compresses it into shape it into the final product. Heating elements are built into the mold to heat the material to the required molding temperature. The press system (hydraulic), applies the necessary pressure to form the material and ensure consistency. Findings showed that some of the composite boards not only matched but even exceeded the performance of traditional particle boards, especially in moisture resistance and strength. This research demonstrates that plastic waste and sawdust can effectively be turned into useful building materials, helping to reduce waste and promote sustainable practices. The result paves the way for future exploration and potential commercial use of these composite boards in furniture and construction, contributing to a more circular economy.