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Is Loose-Fill Plastic Waste an Opportunity for Thermal Insulation in Cold and Humid Tropical Climates?

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  • Bruno Malet-Damour

    (PIMENT Laboratory, University of Reunion Island, 97430 Le Tampon, France
    Current address: 120 Avenue Raymond Barre, 97430 Le Tampon, France.)

  • Jean-Pierre Habas

    (ICGM, CNRS, ENSCM, University Montpellier, 34293 Montpellier, France)

  • Dimitri Bigot

    (PIMENT Laboratory, University of Reunion Island, 97430 Le Tampon, France)

Abstract

This paper addresses the plastic waste management challenge by proposing a sustainable solution for the building sector. The proposed solution uses Loose-Fill Plastic Waste (LFPW) as a thermal insulation material, the world’s first in plastic waste recovery. To investigate the potential of this new path, an experimental study was conducted on test cells in Reunion Island’s cold and wet climate. It was revealed that LFPW (size between 3 and 4 mm with 8 cm thickness) can reduce surface temperatures by nearly 3.2 °C, with a maximum difference by almost 22.2 °C. The thermal phase shift is significant (190 mn) and comparable to conventional thermal insulation solutions. The study results suggest that LFPW can provide an effective and economical solution to the challenge of plastic waste management while promoting sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno Malet-Damour & Jean-Pierre Habas & Dimitri Bigot, 2023. "Is Loose-Fill Plastic Waste an Opportunity for Thermal Insulation in Cold and Humid Tropical Climates?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:12:p:9483-:d:1169914
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Djongyang, Noël & Tchinda, René & Njomo, Donatien, 2010. "Thermal comfort: A review paper," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(9), pages 2626-2640, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gentiel Acar & Marijke Steeman & Nathan Van Den Bossche, 2024. "Reusing Thermal Insulation Materials: Reuse Potential and Durability Assessment of Stone Wool Insulation in Flat Roofs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-22, February.

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