STUDY AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SOIL-CEMENT BRICKS USING TONER POWDER WASTE
Description
Soil-cement bricks are a sustainable alternative in civil construction due to their efficient physical-mechanical properties, using soil, cement and water in pre-defined proportions. Studies have been developed with the aim of incorporating new materials into their composition, resulting in better properties compared to conventional bricks currently on the market. Thousands of toner cartridges are discarded daily in landfills and, due to their significant amounts of non-biodegradable and polluting toner powder, they generate a global problem that has challenged researchers. This study evaluated the combination of soil-cement bricks produced with toner powder waste, aiming to find an ecologically acceptable solution for this material and also to boost sustainability in civil construction. Through analyses of each material used and a careful review of the literature, bricks were developed with 3% toner powder waste in their composition. After curing the samples, the bricks were subjected to mechanical compressive strength tests, revealing values significantly higher than the minimum requirements established by Brazilian standards. The results demonstrated the technical feasibility of using toner powder residue in the production of soil-cement bricks, and its relevance for the sustainable management of industrial waste, with the promotion of more sustainable practices in civil construction.