Dried sewage sludge could be an alternative cement material for concrete, researchers in Malaysia have found. In a study published in the Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology, researchers from Universiti Teknologi MARA investigated the potential of sludge as an alternative cement material for making concrete. The disposal of sludge from sewage water treatment is a big issue for wastewater plants in Malaysia. While studies show that the volume of sludge is expected to rise, disposal options are limited due to stricter environmental regulations, including a ban on burying sludge in soil due to its high heavy metal content that could cause adverse impacts to the environment.