Study of using recycled glass cullet as an engineering fill in reclamation and earthworks in Hong Kong

Abstract

Waste recycling has become a worldwide trend to reduce waste generation as a means to help alleviate pollution and impede depletion of natural resources. In Hong Kong, approximately 90,000 tonnes of waste glass, the majority of which contains beverages, are disposed of every year. As glass is chemically inert, instead of burying them in the landfills, the feasibility of recycling waste glass as an engineering fill material in reclamation works and earthworks has been studied. A series of laboratory tests have been conducted on crushed pure glass samples of sizes of 3 mm minus and 20 mm minus to investigate their physical and engineering properties. The results of the study have indicated that with proper engineering control, it is technically acceptable to use glass cullet as an engineering fill in both reclamation and earthworks. Technical requirements for using glass cullet as engineering fill have been developed. This paper presents the feasibility study undertaken and discusses their results. It also highlights the major technical requirements proposed for the use of glass cullet in reclamation and earthworks.