Transforming Waste into Tables with Recycled Drink Cartons and Natural Fibres

Abstract

Drink cartons, typically crafted from composite materials, offer the advantage of extended lifespans with minimal maintenance compared to wood. However, the prevalent issue of unrecycled waste cartons contributes significantly to landfill accumulation. The project’s focus lies in repurposing waste drink cartons and natural fibres, specifically banana stem, sugarcane bagasse, and paddy husk, while utilising corn flour as a bonding agent to make tables. Each natural fibre plays a crucial role in the composite mixture, contributing to the tables’ strength, durability, and environmental sustainability, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness and suitability. Thus, the primary objective of this study is to identify the most suitable natural fibre for table production, considering factors such as strength, moisture content, and flammability. The manufacturing process encompasses blending, spreading, compacting, drying, and shaping. Results revealed that sugarcane bagasse exhibited the highest tensile strength at 743.165N, followed closely by banana stem fibre at 728.368N, while paddy husk showed the lowest strength at 338.302N. Furthermore, banana stem fibre exhibited the lowest moisture content at 33.34%, compared to sugarcane bagasse at 43.20% and paddy husk at 48.34%. The flammability test indicated that paddy husk ignites easily and emits a paper-like odour, whereas sugarcane bagasse and banana stem fibre demonstrated greater resistance to ignition. Consequently, sugarcane bagasse and banana stem fibre are deemed suitable for table production, which helps maintain the durability and longevity of the tables, especially in humid environments. This project underscores the potential of composite materials derived from waste drink cartons and natural fibres as a promising alternative to wood in table production.