Systems and methods are provided for making aggregate from comingled waste plastics. For example, there is provided a method of making a preconditioned absorptive resin aggregate, the method including: obtaining a supply of granulated mixed plastic waste treated with a preconditioning agent that comprises at least one of calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide; mixing the supply of granulated mixed plastic waste treated with the calcium oxide preconditioning agent with one or more additives to form a plastic waste mixture, the one or more additives comprising pozzolans; hot extruding the plastic waste mixture to form an extruded product comprising waste plastic material; cooling the extruded product; and processing the extruded product to form an aggregate. Products incorporating such aggregates, such as, for example, lightweight construction blocks, are also provided. Also provided are methods of forming a waste plastics feedstock.

Systems and methods are provided for making aggregate from comingled waste plastics. For example, there is provided a method of making a preconditioned absorptive resin aggregate, the method including: obtaining a supply of granulated mixed plastic waste treated with a preconditioning agent that comprises at least one of calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide; mixing the supply of granulated mixed plastic waste treated with the calcium oxide preconditioning agent with one or more additives to form a plastic waste mixture, the one or more additives comprising pozzolans; hot extruding the plastic waste mixture to form an extruded product comprising waste plastic material; cooling the extruded product; and processing the extruded product to form an aggregate. Products incorporating such aggregates, such as, for example, lightweight construction blocks, are also provided. Also provided are methods of forming a waste plastics feedstock.

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the manufacture of pigmented solids structures for which can be used for construction and/or decoration. Manufacturing comprises fixing one or more pigments to an aggregate material such as crushed rock, stone or sand. The pigmented aggregate is incubated with urease or urease producing microorganisms, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium source such as calcium chloride forming calcite bridges between particles of aggregate. The resulting solid has a hardness and colorfastness for most any construction material. Using selected aggregate and pigment, the process also provides for the manufacture of simulated-stone materials such as clay or granite bricks or blocks, marble counter-tops, and more. The invention is also directed to composition containing microorganisms and pigment as kits that can be added to most any aggregate materials.

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the manufacture of pigmented solids structures for which can be used for construction and/or decoration. Manufacturing comprises fixing one or more pigments to an aggregate material such as crushed rock, stone or sand. The pigmented aggregate is incubated with urease or urease producing microorganisms, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium source such as calcium chloride forming calcite bridges between particles of aggregate. The resulting solid has a hardness and colorfastness for most any construction material. Using selected aggregate and pigment, the process also provides for the manufacture of simulated-stone materials such as clay or granite bricks or blocks, marble counter-tops, and more. The invention is also directed to composition containing microorganisms and pigment as kits that can be added to most any aggregate materials.

An interlocking system of modular units engageable to form vertically and horizontally stable assemblies. The modular units include blocks and modular panels, each having vertical and optional horizontal bores that provide passage for plumbing, electrical wiring, and other connectivity. The modular units may be formed of lightweight cementitious materials, and may find use in assemblies such as walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, and entire building structures.

An interlocking system of modular units engageable to form vertically and horizontally stable assemblies. The modular units include blocks and modular panels, each having vertical and optional horizontal bores that provide passage for plumbing, electrical wiring, and other connectivity. The modular units may be formed of lightweight cementitious materials, and may find use in assemblies such as walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, and entire building structures.

Provided herein are composite materials comprising at least 70 wt. % thermally consolidated recovered paper and plastic fragments and less than 5,000 ng water-soluble endotoxin per gram of composite materials, as well as methods of preparing said composite materials and methods of sanitizing recovered waste materials.

Provided herein are composite materials comprising at least 70 wt. % thermally consolidated recovered paper and plastic fragments and less than 5,000 ng water-soluble endotoxin per gram of composite materials, as well as methods of preparing said composite materials and methods of sanitizing recovered waste materials.

A method, comprising contacting a plurality of petroleum-derived materials, optionally that comprise plastic in the form of a seal, wire or cable jacket, floor covering, filter, vehicle part, or any combination thereof, with a lipid composition comprising fatty acid moieties to produce an agglomerate, wherein from about 9 wt % to about 40 wt % of the fatty acid moieties are saturated, and wherein at least about 0.5 wt % of the fatty acid moieties are monounsaturated. Further, an apparatus for producing an extrudate from petroleum-derived materials is comprising: (a) a pre-extrusion mixer for contacting a plurality of petroleum-derived materials with a lipid composition comprising fatty acid moieties and a filler to produce a composite, having one or more inlets for receiving the petroleum-derived materials, the lipid composition, and the filler, and an outlet for discharging the composite; and (b) an extruder in fluid communication with the outlet of the pre-extrusion mixer.

A method, comprising contacting a plurality of petroleum-derived materials, optionally that comprise plastic in the form of a seal, wire or cable jacket, floor covering, filter, vehicle part, or any combination thereof, with a lipid composition comprising fatty acid moieties to produce an agglomerate, wherein from about 9 wt % to about 40 wt % of the fatty acid moieties are saturated, and wherein at least about 0.5 wt % of the fatty acid moieties are monounsaturated. Further, an apparatus for producing an extrudate from petroleum-derived materials is comprising: (a) a pre-extrusion mixer for contacting a plurality of petroleum-derived materials with a lipid composition comprising fatty acid moieties and a filler to produce a composite, having one or more inlets for receiving the petroleum-derived materials, the lipid composition, and the filler, and an outlet for discharging the composite; and (b) an extruder in fluid communication with the outlet of the pre-extrusion mixer.