A mini-review on building insulation materials from perspective of plastic pollution: Current issues and natural fibres as a possible solution

As plastic pollution is eroding our ecological environment at an alarming rate around the world, tracking the origins is a necessity for putting forward effective measures to prevent it. The building industry, as an important sector consuming plastic products and producing plastic wastes, is increasing application of thermal insulations to improve energy efficiency. However, most insulation materials have negative impact on the environment. With the strategies to boost sustainability of buildings, natural fibres have occurred in the market as promising raw materials for thermal insulations. This mini-review aims to describe the extent building insulations contributed to plastic pollution, and a possible solution to plastic pollution from natural fibres and their current

Automated summary

As plastic pollution continues to threaten our ecosystem, it is crucial to track its origins and implement effective measures to prevent it. The building industry, which both consumes and produces significant amounts of plastic waste, has been increasingly using thermal insulation materials to improve energy efficiency. However, most insulation materials have detrimental effects on the environment. Consequently, the use of natural fibers as a substitute for plastic in thermal insulation materials has emerged as a promising solution.