Feasibility Assessment of Eco-Bricks: Integrating (Vivipara Angularis) Shell and Shredded Plastic Waste for Sustainable Civil and Construction Materials ^†

Concrete bricks have been used in construction for over a century, often used for foundations and retaining walls. Its production contributes significantly to carbon emissions and the depletion of natural resources. Thus, this study aims to develop an outdoor brick using crushed bivalve shell (Vivipara angularis), locally known as “Ige”, as an aggregate to reduce the need for natural aggregates, which are a finite resource, and molasses as an admixture to improve the brick’s workability and strength. A series of experiments was conducted to test the bricks’ fire resistance, water absorption, and compression, aiming to determine the feasibility of making bricks from crushed bivalve shells, shredded plastic bottles, cement, sand, water, and molasses. The project used an experimental and developmental research approach. The study was conducted at the Caraga State University, Cabadbaran Campus. Results showed that (a.) Sample 2, which contains 400 g of cement, 800 g of sand, and 1200 g of bivalve freshwater shell with the ratio of 1:2:3, has good fire resistance characteristics (b.) Sample 5, which contains more plastic bottles rather than freshwater shells, performed well in water absorption and (c.) Sample 2, a mixture of 400 g of cement, 800 g of sand, and 1200 g of bivalve freshwater shell with a ratio of 1:2:3, exhibits good comprehensive strength. The study revealed that using bivalve freshwater shells can improve the durability of concrete bricks and, when combined with plastic bottles, reduce water absorption; however, it can also compromise brick durability.