Latex-modified concrete overlays using waste paint

• Latex paint is a major source of waste that is typically destined for landfills.
• It can be used to produce economic latex-modified concrete.
• The produced concrete has superior properties to normal concrete.
• It also has comparable properties to LMC produced using commercial additives.

The U.S. generates over 35 million gallons of waste latex paint annually, which is difficult to recycle as it contains volatile organic compounds. However, waste latex paint can be used to produce an economic latex-modified concrete used for whitetopping, wearing surfaces in parking garages, and overlays, instead of commercial products resulting in significant cost savings. This study compares the use of waste latex paint to commercially available styrene-butadiene rubber latex in concrete for overlays, and evaluates concrete fresh and hardened properties as well as transport properties. Waste latex paint added to concrete results in characteristics comparable to polymer-modified concrete made with commercial latex products.

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