Recycled waste glass can help solve sand shortages

Context:

Waste glass — a by product of natural sand — can be an option to natural sand. Crushed waste glass may show geotechnical behaviour (properties) comparable to the sand.

Alternative to sand:

Using crushed waste glass as an alternative to traditional sand could offer a double-duty benefit by addressing the geo-environmental challenges of natural sand depletion and disposal of ever-increasing waste glass.
The geotechnical behaviour of crushed waste glass is similar, or sometimes even superior, to traditional construction sands
Benefits include: Smart geo-material, recycling of waster glass, reducing the burden on landfills, conserving natural resources and transitioning towards circular economy.

Exploitation of natural resources:

Natural aggregates, such as manufactured sand and gravel, has a wide range of applications.
At present, the construction industry is the world’s biggest consumer of natural resources.
The consumption of aggregates is expected to increase at a rate of 5 per cent per annum in India.
Major sources of natural construction aggregates include crushed stone, gravel and sand.
There are ecological concerns as well:
- The extraction and logistics of aggregates has a carbon footprint, which is harmful to the ecosystem.
- Extraction of natural sand can endanger aquatic organisms, destroy marine habitat and environment.