Development of an environmentally-friendly alternative to the manufacture of auxiliary wood structures

Abstract

Our society produces a valuable commodity: garbage. However, the garbage produced in Mexico, as well as its  final destination, far from being an area of opportunity, is a growing problem. Plastic waste constitutes a significant part of refuse, particularly PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Moreover, in Mexico, the phenomenon of decreasing forest production has been accompanied by an increase in wood consumption. The construction industry is the second largest sector as regards  wood consumption. Among the different uses of wood in this sector are the auxiliary structures used for building pillars and roofs, known as “cimbras”. In order  to contribute positively to the above two problems, the development of a new material was composed, consisting of  wood waste and recycled plastic (PET) in order to develop an auxiliary structure prototype that will make it possible to  replace the wooden pillars or supplementary props used  in the construction industry.