Minimizing the use of nonreplaceable natural resources and relying on renewable materials that generate less waste is a key step in converting masonry manufacturing to a sustainable industry. This research aimed at developing innovative masonry bricks for inexpensive masonry construction, which will lessen the carbon dioxide footprint and firing energy levels during the manufacturing process of bricks without compromising the prescribed mechanical and physical properties of the masonry units. Results are presented from a pilot experimental study on the incorporation of biologically inert by-products of sludge treatment (high-biopolymer sludge and incinerated sewage sludge ash) and waste glass, used as alternatives to natural shale in the manufacturing of low-cost and environmentally friendly masonry bricks. Through characterization tests, it was shown that the developed hybrid bricks containing waste materials satisfy all the quality control criteria set by the masonry industry in terms of a variety of mechanical and physical properties. By using wastes as raw materials to reduce the amounts of nonrecoverable natural resources in brick production, a potentially sustainable solution is developed for masonry construction. Hybrid brick manufacturing also helps to lower the carbon footprint and firing energy and offers an alternative to landfill disposal of the wastes.
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