Recycling of Cathode Ray Tube Glass in Construction Materials
Summary
Recycling of CRT glass in construction materials addresses both the escalating volume of electronic waste and the imperative for sustainable building practices. Cathode ray tube glass, a legacy of display technologies, comprises lead‐enriched funnel and panel fractions that require careful management to prevent leaching of toxic metals. Research has progressively demonstrated the feasibility of substituting fine‐ground CRT glass for conventional aggregates in concrete, mortar and geopolymer formulations, as well as deriving glass ceramics through controlled sintering with industrial by‐products. Critical parameters such as particle size distribution, interfacial bonding and matrix encapsulation govern mechanical strength, durability and environmental safety. Optimised replacement ratios—often below 20–25 % by mass—can maintain or enhance compressive and flexural performance, while thermal and chemical treatments immobilise hazardous elements. These advances inform circular‐economy strategies, offering pathways to valorise CRT glass in diverse construction applications.
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Recycling of Cathode Ray Tube Glass in Construction Materials publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in recycling of cathode ray tube glass in construction materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Cathode ray tube (CRT) glass: Glass extracted from legacy television and monitor screens, comprising lead‐enriched funnel and panel fractions.
Geopolymer: An inorganic binder formed by alkali activation of aluminosilicate precursors, producing a three‐dimensional aluminosilicate network.
Alkali–silica reaction (ASR): A deleterious chemical process in cementitious materials whereby reactive silica in aggregates reacts with alkali hydroxides, causing expansion and cracking.
Immobilisation: The process of encapsulating hazardous ions within a solid matrix to inhibit leaching and environmental release.
References
- New Glass Ceramic Materials Obtained from Cathode Ray Tubes Glass Wastes and Fly Ash. Sustainability (2023).
- Potential for Use of Recycled Cathode Ray Tube Glass in Making Concrete Blocks and Paving Flags. Materials (2022).
- Properties of Cement-Based Materials Containing Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Glass Waste as Fine Aggregates—A Review. Sustainability (2021).
- Discarded Cathode Ray Tube Glass as an Alternative for Aggregate in a Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer. Sustainability (2021).
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