Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee (IIT-R), in collaboration with YB Scientific R&D Solutions, a Roorkee-based engineering service unit, has developed cement-free wall tiles from waste polythene.
In the making of these tiles, polythene from waste milk and oil packets was used. According to the institute, the tiles -- developed in an eco-friendly manner -- would cost less than regular tiles but have the same tensile strength.
The waste plastics are used as a binder and waste stone dust as additives along with some dying chemicals. These products have a better interlocking and aesthetic look, and a long lifetime. They are non-breakable and have fair resale value.
As per research team, around 250 gm of waste plastics is used and to cover one sq-ft surface area around 1.5 kg of waste plastics will be needed. The production cost of the paver black is around Rs 45 per sq-ft which is highly competitive with the conventional paver blocks available in the market.
Per piece, the production price is around Rs 7-Rs 8. The tiles will be more economic than the paver blocks with per sq-ft production cost of around Rs 14 only
