Argumentative Essay FINAL

Abby Joyce A.
Ereje X-Newton
“Comparative Analysis on the Effects of

Different Plastics as an Admixture
for Mortar Mix”
(A Research Argumentative Essay)
In order to maximize potential benefits, there has been an increase in interest in using
plastic waste materials that would otherwise be disposed of in the creation of construction
materials. Plastics play a significant role in the Philippine economy. Nevertheless, the
Philippines has developed a "sachet economy" due to its heavy reliance on single-use plastics
like multilayered sachets and pouches, which has contributed to the alarming levels of marine
plastic pollution in the area. The Philippines struggles with unsustainable plastic manufacturing
and use as well as a lack of solid waste disposal infrastructure, similar to many other fast rising
nations. The Philippines produces a remarkable 2.7 million tons of plastic garbage annually, of
which 20% is estimated to wash up in the ocean (Plastics Circularity Opportunities and
Barriers, 2021).
The researchers made some research on what is/are the most common plastic waste found
in the Philippines. According to an article which entitled “Market Study for Philippines: Plastics
Circularity Opportunities and Barriers”, high dependence on single-use plastics like multilayer
sachets and pouches can be seen. 1.1M tons of resin is consumed per year, this includes PP
(Polypropylene), PS (Polystyrene), LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene), HDPE (High Density
Polyethylene), and PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The researchers decided to use PP, PS, and
LDPE types of plastic to be an admixture to mortar mix. With these types of plastic, we can
greatly reduce the amount of plastic waste in the Philippines.
Biodegradable plastic is one of the solutions that we can do to eliminate plastic waste.
These are often touted as being eco-friendly, but do they live up to the hype? Reduced reliance
on fossil fuel supplies, a smaller carbon impact, and quicker decomposition are some of the
benefits of bioplastic that are frequently mentioned. Although biodegradability is a benefit, most
bioplastics require high temperature industrial composting facilities to degrade, and only a small
number of cities have the equipment to handle them. As a result, bioplastics often end up in
landfills where, deprived of oxygen, they may release methane, a greenhouse gas 23x more
potent than carbon dioxide. Inappropriate disposal of bioplastics can damage recycling facilities
and contaminate batches of regenerated plastic. If thrown into the environment, they pose threats
similar to PET plastic (Cho, 2017).
In addition to the solution stated above, Japanese researchers made the discovery of
bacteria that could “eat” or degrade plastic in March 2016. Ideonella sakaiensis, the bacteria,
was only able to consume PET, a specific form of plastic used to make bottles, and it could not
do so at a rate fast enough to reduce the tens of millions of tons of plastic garbage that are
released into the environment each year. However, scientists warn that widespread commercial
usage of plastic-eating bacteria is still years away, and that even if it were practicable, releasing
them into the environment could cause more problems that it would solve (Carpenter, 2021).
Furthermore, recycling is another alternative, but is it really effective? Some materials
may be safely produced from recycled material and recovered materials, plastics cannot.
Recycling plastic is an ineffective and useless effort. Recycling plastic is also a concern because
it isn’t profitable. Because collecting, sorting, transporting, and processing plastic waste are
extremely expensive, recycled plastic is more expensive than new plastic (Enck, 2022).
If we incorporate plastic waste as an admixture to our mortar, we can reduce it. It is

estimated that about 0.9 tons of carbon dioxide is released in the environment for the production
of 1 ton of cement. Carbon dioxide comes in the category of greenhouse gas and is largely
responsible for global warming (Lahri, 2015). This prompts us to study the various alternatives
to mortar to make it environment friendly. Finally, a comparative study analysis of various
materials used as a partial replacement of mortar has been done.
In order to protect the remaining pieces of nature, everyone must take responsibility for it
so that the future generation may enjoy the gifts of the environment. If people will integrate this
kind of idea that mixing mortar with different kinds of plastics (PP, PS, and LDPE), then we can
assume that the number of plastic wastes will decrease and we can meet the demands of mortar
mix.
References
‌Carpenter, S. (2021, March 10). The Race To Develop Plastic-Eating Bacteria. Forbes.
Retrieved September 18, 2022, from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottcarpenter/2021/03/10/the-race-to-develop-plastic-
eating-bacteria/?sh=754b9dc97406
‌Cho, R. (2017, December 13). The Truth about Bioplastics. State of the Planet; Columbia
Climate School. https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2017/12/13/the-truth-about-
bioplastics/
‌Dell, J. E., Jan. (2022, May 30). Plastic Recycling Doesn’t Work and Will Never Work. The
Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/05/single-use-plastic-chemical-
recycling-disposal/661141/
‌Lahri, A., & Dixit, S. (2015). Alternatives to Cement in Concrete – A Review.
Www.semanticscholar.org. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Alternatives-to-
Cement-in-Concrete-%E2%80%93-A-Review-Lahri-Dixit/
3c51fe0d211260d14e482530037494a9ab49a47c
The World Bank. (2021, March 21). Philippines: Plastics Circularity Opportunities Report.
World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/philippines/publication/market-
study-for-philippines-plastics-circularity-opportunities-and-barriers-report-landing-page

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Abby Joyce A.

“Comparative Analysis on the Effects of

If we incorporate plastic waste as an admixture to our mortar, we can reduce it. It is

Retrieved September 18, 2022, from

Climate School. https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2017/12/13/the-truth-about-

‌Lahri, A., & Dixit, S. (2015). Alternatives to Cement in Concrete – A Review.

World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/philippines/publication/market-

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