Influence of the Addition of Waste Glass and Microbiological Performance of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymers Cement

Glass recycling reduces the amount of waste to be treated or disposed in landfills, allowing both to limit environmental damage and to save on the costs of transportation and disposal of waste. In this paper, an advantageous method for recycling glass containers (bottles, jars, jars for food, glasses, and cans for drinks, etc.) is presented. The glass is crushed and without being washed or separated from any foreign bodies it is safely incorporated into a metakaolin (MK)-based geopolymeric matrix. Pure MK and mixtures obtained by adding different percentages (30–50 wt%) of glass cullet are consolidated via alkali activation at 50°C. Infrared spectroscopy is able to reveal the formation of bonds in the mixtures between the geopolymeric matrix and the glass. Leaching tests are carried out to evaluate the eventual release of toxic metals, while the antibacterial tests complete the environmental evaluation of the final consolidated products that show how the mechanical performance are modified by adding different amount of glass cullet.