PRODUCTION OF ECO-FRIENDLY AND SUSTAINABLE COMPOSITE MATERIALS FROM CELLULOSE-BASED WASTE

Abstract

Solid municipal waste management has become a major global environmental issue due to the accumulation and decomposition of organic materials, which can lead to soil, water, and air pollution. This study focuses on the sustainable utilization of municipal waste through the production of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) using locally available wood and plastic waste. Waste materials, including polyethylene bags, branches, twigs, and leaves, collected from landfills in Tashkent Region were processed through washing, extrusion, and hot pressing to produce WPC samples. The effects of different types and compositions of wood waste on the physical and mechanical properties of WPCs were investigated under natural weathering conditions in the Gazalkent district for six months. The experimental results showed that increasing the amount of walnut wood flour and adding 6% MAPPS (maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene) improved the interfacial adhesion, tensile strength, and hardness of the composites. However, prolonged exposure to natural weathering led to the formation of microcracks, resulting in a gradual decrease in the modulus of rupture and elasticity. Overall, the study confirms that solid municipal waste can serve as a valuable raw material for the production of environmentally friendly WPCs, offering a promising solution for reducing landfill accumulation and providing durable materials for outdoor construction applications such as decking, fencing, and cladding.