Fine recycled glass: a sustainable alternative to natural aggregates

Fine recycled glass is the main by-product of the glass recycling industry in Victoria, Australia. Holding the maximum particle size of 4.75 mm, it mainly comprises of sand size particles with a small percentage of silt size particles. An extensive suite of geotechnical laboratory tests were carried out on representative samples of fine recycled glass. Test results were compared with other research works conducted on recycled glass sources around the world. Fine recycled glass is classified as well graded sand mixed with silt size particles, according to the Unified Soil Classification System. Laboratory experiments indicate that fine recycled glass exhibits geotechnical behavior similar to those of natural aggregate within the same soil classification. Hydraulic conductivity tests proved a better drainage capacity for fine recycled glass compared to natural aggregates. Results of a set of shear strength tests suggest that fine recycled glass shows shear strength behavior similar to that of natural sand with angular particles. An environmental assessment on organic content, debris level, total concentration and leachate concentration of fine recycled glass was undertaken to assess its environmental effects. Based on the tests results potential usages of fine recycled glass in geotechnical engineering applications are discussed.