Mollusk Shell Waste: Alternatives for Reuse in Construction

Waste from the cultivation of bivalve mollusks has become an environmental issue in many parts of the world due to its irregular disposal. In Brazil, according to a diagnosis by the Secretariat for Sustainable Development and Environment, the Ilha de Deus fishing community, located in Recife, Pernambuco, produces about 408 tons of charru mussel shell waste annually. This waste is deposited directly into mangrove areas, producing serious environmental and social impacts. Seeking suitable ways to dispose of this waste, this study proposes possible uses for mollusk shells, identifying benefits, losses, and difficulties in the use of this waste through a systematic review of the literature. A chemical and thermogravimetric analysis of the mussel shell waste was carried out and several possible uses were proposed, mainly as a raw material for civil construction, taking into account local needs. The shells can be used as aggregate for mortar and concrete for various purposes and as filters for the treatment of effluents.