RECYCLING OF WASTE PLASTIC MATERIALS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CEILING TILES USING SAWDUST AND COCONUT FIBRE AS REINFORCEMENT

This study explores the recycling of waste plastics into useful building materials by producing ceiling tiles from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) reinforced with sawdust and coconut fibre. The project was motivated by two pressing challenges: the environmental problem of plastic pollution and the need for affordable, sustainable construction materials. PET flakes were prepared from discarded bottles, while sawdust and coconut fibre were sourced as agricultural by-products. The fibres were incorporated into PET at varying proportions of 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%, both individually and in hybrid form. The fabricated tiles were tested for water absorption, compressive strength, and surface hardness using standard methods. The results showed that adding natural fibres increased water absorption due to their hydrophilic nature, with sawdust composites absorbing more than coconut fibre. However, the inclusion of fibres also enhanced mechanical performance. Strength and surface hardness improved with reinforcement, peaking at 5% fibre content before declining slightly at 7.5%. The hybrid composites consistently performed best, achieving up to a 16.7% increase in strength and the highest hardness values compared to pure PET. Overall, the findings demonstrate that PET waste can be successfully recycled into ceiling tiles when reinforced with sawdust and coconut fibre. The optimum formulation was identified at 5% hybrid reinforcement, which balanced strength, durability, and moderate water absorption. This research confirms the potential of PET to fibre composites as eco-friendly, cost-effective alternatives to conventional ceiling materials, while also contributing to environmental conservation by reducing plastic and agricultural waste.