Introduction:
The pressing need for sustainable and energy-efficient construction practices has propelled the exploration of alternative materials in concrete production. One promising avenue is the incorporation of glass waste into green concrete. This approach addresses environmental challenges such as landfill accumulation and natural resource depletion, while also aiming to reduce the carbon footprint associated with cement manufacturing.

Methods: This study systematically analyzes recent advancements in using glass waste—such as glass powder, crushed glass aggregates, expanded glass, and glass fibers—as partial replacements for cement, fine, and coarse aggregates. The study evaluates various forms of glass waste based on particle size, chemical composition, and replacement ratios. Mechanical performance, durability, microstructural behavior, and environmental benefits are assessed through comparative analysis of laboratory experiments and life cycle assessments.

Results and Discussion: Findings reveal that finely ground glass powder (<90 µm) enhances the pozzolanic reaction, leading to improved compressive strength (up to 14%) and reduced water absorption when used at replacement levels of 10–30% for cement. Crushed glass aggregates offer improved packing density and flexural strength at moderate substitution rates (10–25% for sand, ≤10% for coarse aggregate), though excessive use compromises strength due to poor bonding and increased porosity. The integration of glass fibers further boosts tensile and flexural properties by over 20%. Engineered geopolymer composites and mixtures with additives like CNTs and fly ash show promise for high-performance applications. However, challenges such as alkali-silica reaction (ASR), workability reduction, and strength loss at high replacement levels persist. Environmentally, glass waste concrete can lower CO₂ emissions by up to 30% and energy use by 17–20%, supporting circular economy principles and landfill diversion.

Conclusion:
The utilization of glass waste in concrete offers compelling mechanical, durability, and sustainability benefits when applied within optimal replacement thresholds. While current applications are more prevalent in non-structural components (e.g., paver blocks, foam concrete), innovations in processing and mixture optimization are expanding its potential for structural use. Future research should focus on long-term field validation, ASR mitigation strategies, and scaling up implementation to advance the role of glass waste in next-generation green infrastructure.