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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
Plastic Bricks & Paving
Plastic Bricks & Paving
These are cheap the make, more durable than traditional brick, and lighter, making them easier to transport. When designed with air space in between they can also offer great insulation for people living inside.
One major concern is the safety for workers and microplastics that may shed from exposed plastic surfaces, especually for walkways with high traffic. When used as internal building materials, with paint or other types of exterior, they will probably last for 100+ years without negatively impacting the environment or people.
Benefits of Plastic Bricks & Buildings
Benefits of Plastic Bricks & Buildings
Affordability & Accessibility
Affordability & Accessibility
23:41 minute video. The Ghanaian man who created these blocks explains how a central groove in the blocks prevents heat exchange from the outside, helping these new buildings remain a comfortable temperature inside. Sand is used to help make these homes more fire retardant.
Durability
Durability
The same properties that make plastic such a nuisance in our ecosystems, can also be a major selling point when it comes to looking for durable materials to build with in an increasingly unstable environment.
Rot-Resistant
Rot-Resistant
In damper climates and regions, mold and rot can be a major issue for homes, schools, and other buildings. Rot-resistant materials can not only save money and time, but help protect the health of those living in or using those buildings.
8:32 minute video. All over Africa, different entrepreneurs are experimenting with ways to recycle plastic waste into affordable housing options. The Kenyan woman in this video explains and shows the process she invented.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes
This might not apply to all plastic bricks or home-building methods, but a recurring theme in studies on these solutions suggests this material can help communities withstand increasing seismic activity as our climate and other environmental factors increase earthquake activity around the world.
8:17 minute video. "The film explores the method of ecological construction and examines how nylon-6 fishnet is used to replace steel within the structural slab and recycled plastic PET Bottles packed with earth are used to replace conventional baked bricks. Capable of withstanding up to 9.8 on the Richter scale the seismic testing of the method of construction is also examined."
Dangers of Plastic Bricks, Blocks, & Buildings
Dangers of Plastic Bricks, Blocks, & Buildings
Pollution
Pollution
Unintentional Encouragement of Plastic Production & Consumption
Unintentional Encouragement of Plastic Production & Consumption
An unfortunate phenomenon of the eco-friendly movement is that sometimes when we learn about eco-friendly solutions, it can make us behave more complacently. For example the presence of inadequate "recycling" programs has encouraged people and companies to use more plastic, instead of curbing overall use. Another example is that those who switch to renewable energy often end up using more appliances, overall pushing energy use up, instead of bringing it down to meet our long term climate goals.
As those who study circular economy have found, and warned us, turning to solutions that rely on a waste stream can inadvertently increase production and consumption, pushing up emissions and such, instead of bringing them down as intended. People who see plastic being picked up and turned into houses, in countries that don't have recycling infrastructure, may feel that it is OK to buy more plastic bottles and litter, instead of turning to more sustainable drink containers.
Any increase in demand for plastic, will only encourage more oil exploration, extraction, and processing, all of which has a wide range of negative impacts on our planet.
Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse Gases
Plastics product greenhouses from the production phase and even after they make it into the environment.
Out gassing or off gassing poses health risks to people, including endocrine distruption.
Micro Plastics
Micro Plastics
There is valid concern about weathering, foot wear, fires, and other influences that may end up re-releasing plastic and microplastics or (in the case of fires) dangerous fumes back into the environment. The companies and organizations working on building methods are working on ways to ensure as little plastic escapes as possible.
Lessons Learned from Poverty-Reduction Programs
Lessons Learned from Poverty-Reduction Programs
Africa
Africa
Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire
Plastic Bricks Project "in Côte d’Ivoire is an innovative program that mobilizes women to collect plastic waste that is then converted into bricks to build local school classrooms.
The project was inspired by a bold idea and implemented by brave pioneers willing to take a chance and to adapt along the way. It is part of UNICEF Côte d’Ivoire’s country program to improve learning, encourage environmental action and empower women.
Since the 2019 launch, 383 classrooms have been built using over 3,000 tons of plastic, providing 19,150 children with new school infrastructure. Thousands more children and teachers have been reached with additional education support."
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana’s Waste Recovery Platform "We work with companies, governments, non-profits and other organizations to address complex challenges on a worldwide scale. Our partners contribute more than money. Their ideas, volunteer power, in-kind support and more are helping promoting waste recovery in Ghana."
Asia
Asia
India
India
K K Plastic Waste Management Ltd. "has innovative, scientific, environment friendly, feasible and patented technological solution for handling the plastic waste present in garbage by reusing it for asphalting of roads."
Europe
Europe
Netherlands
Netherlands
New Marble "is a sustainable tile brand making new tiles from old PET bottles. 1m2 of New Marble is made from 302 plastic bottles and the tiles are fully recyclable, it is the best tile for a new circular designed world. The tiles are included in some iconic projects like the first circular bathroom of The Netherlands and in the floating Recycled Park, in Rotterdam, made from bottles collected from the river Maas. Both tile designs and the recycling technology are developed by Better Future Factory."
UK
UK
Recycle Rebuild "empowers communities to recycle waste into affordable, high-quality building materials, whilst providing an immediate source of income for those affected by natural disasters.
We are a nonprofit organisation made up of a passionate group of individuals. We are Architects, Designers, Journalists, Photographers and most importantly Humanitarians.
We care deeply about the environment and how humanity lives within it. Using the power of design and our ingenuity, we actively look for problems in the waste stream and design solutions that better the community."
Companies
Companies
Africa
Africa
Ghana
Ghana
Nelplast ECO Ghana Limited "The project converts plastic wastes into useful building materials like building interlock pavement slabs and paving tiles, which effectively reduce environmental pollution and further decreases the problem of waste plastics in Ghana. Using both the print and electronic media the organization educates the populace on the effects of indiscriminate littering of plastic wastes, sensitizing the public on plastic waste menace. They promote the concept of plastic source-separation sensitization programmes to generate a direct source of income for waste collectors."
Kenya
Kenya
Eco Blocks & Tiles "Ecotiles are primarily made from recycled plastics. A typical 3 bedroom house will consume at least 1.5 tons of plastics that would otherwise have ended up in the environment to cause pollution. These tiles are 100% recyclable at their end life.
Very close to our hearts, we provide indirect employment opportunities to informal waste pickers who are the key suppliers of our input material. Each house provides income of about $5 to 50 informal waste pickers.
By choosing Ecotiles, you not only get a high quality premium building product but you help protect the environment while creating jobs to a socially neglected group of society. Support our cause by buying our products and spreading the word."Gjenge "Gjenge’s pledge is to be true to our vision and mission while maintaining sustainable practices as a social enterprise. Thus far we have managed to recycle over 100 tonnes of plastic waste. We have also managed to create 112 job opportunities for garbage collectors, women, and youth groups by turning plastic waste into affordable beautiful building materials."
Tanzania
Tanzania
EcoAct Tanzania "Employing innovate environmental friendly solutions that save the environment from deforestation, pollution and climate change while creating sustainable jobs by manufacturing and selling eco-friendly quality building products that exceed the expectations of customers."
North America
North America
Mexico
Mexico
USA
USA
California
ByBlock "Our unique, environmentally friendly process uses steam and compression to convert all types of plastic waste into an advanced, zero-waste building material called ByBlock"
Texas
TieTek™ "composite crossties demonstrate better long-term spike hold and superior performance to other tie technologies.
TieTek™ ties are significantly more durable than wood. They are more resistant to plate cutting, improve lateral strength and show minimal variation in rail gage after over 2 billion gross tons of heavy axle traffic.
TieTek™ ties show the same total track stiffness as wood ties; the total track modulus is the same. TieTek™ ties produce less surface vibration than other ties, producing 8db less vibration than wood, and 14db less than concrete.
TieTek™ ties are easy to maintain. They do not require specialized installation or maintenance equipment, and can be completely intermixed with wood ties in operating environments. Using existing equipment and procedures, railroads can quickly and easily upgrade to TieTek™ ties, improving performance and driving down operating costs.
Finally, TieTek™ ties are more economical, safer and easier on the rest of your equipment. They improve the performance and drive down the operating costs of an entire rail system."
South America
South America
Argentina
Argentina
Fundación Eco-Inclusion "is an Argentinian network of NGOs that manufactures ecological bricks made of plastic. Founded in 2014 by entrepreneurs Leandro Miguez, Leandro Lima, and Fabio Saieg, the organization works to reduce plastic waste and have a social impact by building houses out of the recycled plastic.
Eco-Inclusion has 45 plastic collecting spots in four cities. They turn every 20 plastic bottles into one brick and can produce 20 bricks in one hour. The plastic bricks have the same characteristics as a regular brick. They are also light, insulating and are made with a production process that does not damage the environment.
The bricks, built in partnership with Ceve-Conicet, are used to build community spaces that help the most impoverished people of Argentina. Right now, with the help of volunteers, the trio of entrepreneurs is building a dining hall and bathroom for an Argentinian soccer club, attended by hundreds of children."
Colombia
Colombia
Conceptos Plásticos "a Colombian social enterprise that manufactures the recycled plastic bricks, but to also sell to other entities."
FICIDET: BRICKARP En Santiago de Cali
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