Alexei Volkov
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with an estimated 90% of waste in the ocean coming from low-income countries. Nzambi Matee, a materials engineer from Nairobi, Kenya, has innovated by creating plastic bricks from recycled waste. These bricks are not only affordable and accessible but also durable, with Matee claiming they are five to seven times stronger than concrete. The production process involves mixing plastic waste with sand, heating it to high temperatures, and then compressing it into bricks. This innovation not only provides a sustainable solution to plastic pollution but also addresses the need for affordable building materials in low-income countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Inventor | Nzambi Matee from Nairobi, Kenya |
| Composition | A mixture of sand and plastics |
| Plastic Types | High-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene |
| Plastic Sources | Packaging factories and other recyclers |
| Brick Properties | Twice as sturdy as concrete |
| Production Capacity | 1,500 bricks per day |
| Price | 850 Kenyan shillings ($7.70) per square meter |
| Affordability | Cheaper than normal bricks |
| Benefits | Reduces plastic pollution, promotes recycling, provides jobs, and supports local communities |
| Challenges | Potential microplastic shedding and concerns about long-term durability |
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What You'll Learn
- How to recycle plastic into bricks, using sand and plastic heated and compressed?
- Nzambi Matee, founder of Gjenge Makers, invented the plastic brick
- Plastic bricks are twice as sturdy as concrete
- Plastic bricks are an affordable, accessible and durable alternative for low-income nations
- Precious Plastic's open-source recycling machines allow communities to learn how to create these bricks
How to recycle plastic into bricks, using sand and plastic heated and compressed
Recycling plastic waste into bricks is a sustainable way to address the environmental issues caused by plastic pollution. The process involves transforming plastic waste into a fibrous binding material that can be used to create bricks with enhanced structural strength compared to traditional clay bricks. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to recycle plastic into bricks using sand and plastic heated and compressed:
Preparing the Materials:
Firstly, collect and sort the plastic waste. The type of plastic used can vary, but commonly used plastics include Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE). These plastics can be sourced from items such as plastic bags, trays, containers, and single-use plastic products.
Next, shred the plastic into small pieces or granules. This can be done using a grinder or a similar tool. Additionally, you will need to collect sand, which will be mixed with the shredded plastic. The sand can be standard sand or, specifically, quartz sand.
Mixing and Heating:
Combine the shredded plastic and sand in a ratio that yields optimal results. Research suggests that a 50:50 ratio of plastic to sand exhibits good mechanical performance. Additionally, you can add pigments to the mixture for customization.
Mix the plastic and sand blend in a kneader or a similar machine. Heat the mixture to a temperature of around 180°C, ensuring that the plastic melts and binds firmly with the sand. You can also add other materials, such as bitumen, at this stage to enhance the mixture's properties.
Moulding and Compression:
Once the plastic and sand are thoroughly mixed and melted, pour the mixture into moulds of the desired brick size. Place the moulds in a hot press and increase the temperature to approximately 300°C, which is higher than the melting point of the plastic.
As the plastic granules melt, apply pressure to the moulds to shape the bricks. A compressed force of about 1 kN can be applied to the top plate of the brick to obtain the desired shape and thickness. Continue applying pressure as the moulds cool down to prevent warping.
Cooling and Handling:
After the bricks have been formed and compressed, allow them to cool for a few minutes. Then, place them in a water bath to expedite the cooling process until they are safe to handle, stack, and transport.
By following these steps, you can recycle plastic into bricks using sand and plastic heated and compressed. This process not only helps reduce plastic waste but also creates a valuable construction material with potential social and economic benefits.
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Nzambi Matee, founder of Gjenge Makers, invented the plastic brick
Nzambi Matee, a trained engineer and biochemist, is the founder of Nairobi-based startup Gjenge Makers. The company manufactures sustainable building products, notably bricks made from recycled plastic. Matee's innovation in the construction sector highlights the economic and environmental opportunities presented by a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled rather than discarded.
Matee's journey began in 2017 when she quit her job as a data analyst in Kenya's oil industry. Inspired by the plastic bags strewn along Nairobi's streets, she set out to find a solution to the city's plastic pollution problem. She started experimenting with different materials in a small lab she built in her mother's backyard. Matee soon received a scholarship to attend a social entrepreneurship programme at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she utilised the university's material labs to refine the ratios of sand to plastic in her bricks.
The bricks are made from a mix of recycled plastic and sand, exposed to high temperatures and compression to form compact, lightweight, and durable bricks. The plastic used is sourced from three types of recycled plastic: high-density polyethylene (shampoo bottles), low-density polyethylene (plastic bags), and polypropylene (plastic ropes and buckets). Matee's bricks have a melting point above 350°C, making them stronger and more durable than traditional bricks and concrete.
Gjenge Makers produces about 500-1000 bricks per day, recycling close to 500 kilograms of plastic waste daily. These bricks are used in a wide array of construction projects, including roads, buildings, and paving stones for houses and schools. They are affordable, accessible, and highly durable, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional building materials. Matee's work has been recognised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and she was named a Young Champion of the Earth 2020 Africa winner, receiving seed funding and mentorship for her innovative contribution to environmental conservation.
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Plastic bricks are twice as sturdy as concrete
Plastic bricks are an innovative solution to the ever-growing problem of plastic pollution. Nzambi Matee, a 29-year-old entrepreneur and inventor from Nairobi, Kenya, is frustrated by the sight of plastic waste polluting her country. She decided to take matters into her own hands and founded the startup Gjenge Makers Ltd, which transforms plastic waste into sustainable building materials.
Matee's plastic bricks are made from a mixture of sand and plastics. The sand and plastic are mixed at very high temperatures and then compressed into bricks. This process results in a brick that is not only sturdy but also lightweight and affordable. The fibrous nature of the plastic gives the bricks exceptional durability. Matee's bricks are designed to work as load-bearing units and can be easily constructed with just a hammer, locking together like Lego.
The use of plastic waste in the bricks provides an innovative solution for factory waste that would otherwise be difficult to recycle. Gjenge Makers accepts plastic waste that other facilities cannot recycle, such as plastic milk and shampoo bottles, sandwich bags, buckets, and ropes. By using this waste, Matee's company ensures that plastic that would have been valued as trash is turned into a high-quality product. This promotes recycling and provides jobs within the local community.
The production of plastic bricks also has environmental benefits. The construction industry is responsible for 38% of global carbon emissions, with popular building materials such as concrete being carbon-intensive. Plastic bricks provide an affordable, accessible, and durable alternative, particularly for low-income nations and countries affected by natural disasters. Matee's bricks are currently in the final stages of development, with the potential to revolutionize the construction industry and reduce the environmental impact of building materials.
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Plastic bricks are an affordable, accessible and durable alternative for low-income nations
Plastic bricks are a viable solution to the global housing crisis, offering an affordable, accessible, and durable alternative for low-income nations. With the world facing a shortage of adequate housing, innovative solutions are needed to address this pressing issue.
Plastic bricks are created by melting down plastic and moulding it into brick shapes, which can then be used for various construction projects. Each brick sequesters 1.5kg of plastic waste, helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills. This process is made possible by open-source recycling machines, allowing communities worldwide to access the knowledge and technology necessary for brick creation.
The affordability of plastic bricks stems from the low cost of recycled plastic compared to traditional building materials. Additionally, the bricks are designed to be easily constructed without requiring advanced building skills, further reducing labour costs. This makes them particularly suitable for low-income nations, where the demand for affordable housing is most acute.
In terms of accessibility, plastic bricks can be used to build a variety of structures, including homes, pavements, refugee shelters, and public buildings. They are also designed to work alongside standard building methods, such as timber and metal, increasing their versatility. Furthermore, plastic bricks are hollow, providing better insulation than standard masonry construction, which is advantageous for temperature regulation in buildings.
The durability of plastic bricks is a key advantage, especially in areas prone to natural disasters. These bricks are strong and can be used to create earthquake-resistant structures, ensuring the safety and longevity of the buildings. Additionally, plastic bricks have high compressive strength and low water absorption rates, making them suitable for construction in waterlogged areas.
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Precious Plastic's open-source recycling machines allow communities to learn how to create these bricks
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with an estimated 90% of waste in the ocean coming from low-income countries. The construction industry also contributes significantly to carbon emissions, with popular building materials such as concrete being carbon-intensive. To address these issues, the Recycle Rebuild organization has collaborated with Precious Plastic in the Netherlands to design a recycled brick. This brick aims to provide an affordable, accessible, and durable alternative for low-income nations and countries affected by natural disasters.
Precious Plastics open-source recycling machines allow communities to learn how to create these bricks. The machines were designed by Dutch designer Dave Hakkens and include a plastic shredder, extruder, injection moulder, and rotation moulder. These machines are based on industrial models but have been modified to be less complex and more flexible. Hakkens first showcased prototype versions of these machines at the Design Academy Eindhoven graduation show in 2013 and has since refined the designs, making the blueprints freely available online.
By downloading the blueprints, anyone can build and use these machines to recycle plastic waste into new products. The machines are designed to handle inconsistencies in recycled plastic, allowing for the creation of a wide range of products. For example, Hakkens has used the machines to create items such as chopping boards, bowls, clipboards, and plant pots from waste material. The recycled brick by Recycle Rebuild is another example of a product that can be created using these machines.
The availability of these open-source machines and blueprints empowers communities to take action against plastic pollution. It enables local craftsmen to become "craftsmen of plastic," starting their own recycling and manufacturing centres, adapting the designs to their specific needs and available resources. This approach promotes local recycling and production, reducing the need for costly and environmentally damaging mass-manufacturing processes.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic bricks are made from a mixture of sand and plastics. The sand and plastic are mixed at very high temperatures and then compressed into bricks.
Plastic bricks are said to be twice as sturdy as concrete and almost five to seven times stronger.
Plastic bricks are an affordable, accessible, and durable alternative for low-income nations and countries affected by natural disasters. They also provide a use for factory waste and ensure it is recycled.
You can make plastic bricks using Precious Plastic's open-source recycling machines. The first version of the brick is complete and all the information needed to make your own brick is available on their new open-source platform.
