Sustainable Utilization of Waste in the 3D Printed Concrete (2026-01)¶

Solid waste generation from industrial production and construction activities has increased sharply in recent years. Improper disposal and abandonment of solid waste have led to significant resource loss and pose serious risks to soil, water, and air quality. As a result, incorporating solid waste into concrete production presents a promising strategy to reduce environmental pressure and promote sustainable development. This review investigates the feasibility and performance of various solid waste materials, such as fly ash, limestone powder, stone sludge, silica fume, waste glass, rubber particles, and recycled concrete sand, that are incorporated into 3D printed concrete (3DPC). These materials demonstrate the potential to enhance rheological behavior, mechanical strength, interfacial bonding, and dimensional stability of printable composites. Additionally, their incorporation reduces carbon emissions, diverts waste from landfills, and promotes resource circularity. The benefits and limitations of solid waste are critically evaluated, including printability challenges arising from particle morphology and water absorption. The review emphasizes the need for standardized cost-effectiveness analysis frameworks to quantify economic and environmental balance. Finally, this study highlights the importance of optimizing mix design, surface treatment techniques, and large-scale production strategies to enable widespread adoption of waste-based 3DPC in sustainable construction.