Development of a glass polymer composite sewer pipe from waste glass. Progress report No. 4, April--June 1977

Large quantities of energy can be conserved by recycling municipal solid waste. Reductions in the costs associated with waste disposal such as by landfilling can also be accrued. While uses for recycled ferrous and non-ferrous metals are apparent, uses for the glass fraction which constitutes approximately 10% of municipal solid waste, have not been developed. As a result, a program to develop methods for incorporating waste glass into composites which can be used for construction materials was started in July 1976. Since that time the properties of glass polymer sewer pipe have been measured and field testing of full-scale specimens has been initiated. To date, the results indicate that high-strength durable materials can be produced. Conservative estimates indicate that the energy value for glass polymer pipe is up to 16% less than that for vitrified clay pipe. Work accomplished during the period April 1 to June 30, 1977 is described.