Sustainability-Driven Evaluation of Circular Plastic and Bioplastic Waste Reused as Building Materials Using MCDA and...

The rapid accumulation of plastic waste has become a major environmental concern, while at the same time, it is necessary to create opportunities to rethink how these materials can be reintegrated into productive use, particularly within the construction sector. This study provides a sustainability-oriented review of the reuse of plastic waste, both fossil-based plastics and bioplastics, as building materials, with a specific emphasis on structured decision-support approaches. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify and analyze peer-reviewed studies examining the incorporation of plastic waste into construction applications, including composites, panels, insulation systems, and structural or non-structural components. Particular attention is given to research applying Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and SWOT analysis as tools for evaluating sustainability performance across environmental, economic, technical, and social dimensions. The findings indicate that recycled plastic and bioplastic-based construction materials can deliver significant advantages, such as diverting waste from disposal pathways, reducing reliance on virgin resources, and, in certain cases, enhancing durability. However, these materials also face important challenges, including limitations in recyclability, concerns related to fire performance, regulatory acceptance, and uncertainties in end-of-life management. MCDA-based studies underscore the critical role of criteria selection and weighting, especially regarding environmental impact reduction and cost competitiveness, in shaping final rankings and decision outcomes. SWOT analyses, in turn, offer complementary strategic insights by highlighting issues related to market readiness, regulatory frameworks, and implementation barriers. By integrating these decision-oriented evaluation approaches, this review contributes to more transparent and evidence-based material selection processes and supports policy development aimed at strengthening circular economy strategies for plastic waste reuse in the built environment.