Plastic composites as sustainable building materials: A thermal and mechanical exploration

[Display omitted] •A total of 88 plastic composites were classified into six categories based on their filler type.•Plastic composites present materials (wt%), analysis methods, standards and sample dimensions.•Thermophysical properties (ρ, λ, Cp, volumetric specific heat) were reviewed and shown by plastic composite.•Compressive, tensile and flexural strengths were the three mechanical properties explored by category.•Explored plastic composite features summarize thermal conductivity range values from 0.02 to 2.23 W/(m·K). Plastic waste management represents a significant problem worldwide, but also, an opportunity for construction materials development. This manuscript explores plastic composite trends, emphasizing thermal and mechanical features. Data obtained from literature over 88 plastic composites were classified into six filler-based categories, 78% presented mechanical data, whereas only 40% provided thermal characterization. The explored features summarize thermal conductivity range values from 0.02 to 2.23 W/(m·K) and Compression Strength between 0.1 and 158 MPa within the recycled plastic composites repository with densities from 50 to 2100 kg/m3, similar to those considered conventionally a feasible possibility to reduce energy demand through low-energy architectural envelopes.