Eco-brick - an effective way to upcycle plastic waste

It is impossible to imagine modern life without plastic. Plastic waste management however is also one of the biggest challenges we face today. Eco-bricks present a simple, yet effective solution that helps in safely securing plastic out of our biosphere. Pallavi Singh, talks about how disposable and discarded plastic can be repurposed to create eco-bricks.

What is an eco-brick

An Eco brick is a PET plastic bottle packed tightly with used, dry and clean non-recyclable plastic to make a reusable building block. They have a set density that not only sequester plastic but also create reusable building blocks. The journey of eco-bricks started when a German architect, Andreas Froese conceived the idea of bottle building technique where PET bottles filled with sand were used as building blocks in South America in 2000. Based on this technique, first eco brick was made by Alvaro Molina on the island of Ometepe in 2003. Eco bricking was encouraged as a building technique in 2003 by Susana Heisse in Guatemala. Ian Dommisse, another pioneer, set up the first network of eco bricks by setting up an eco brick exchange.

Making your own eco-bricks

You can also get on the bandwagon and create eco bricks right at home. They can be used in your gardens, homes and even in the community at large. They are used to create, furniture, tree guards, walls, recliners, garden structures, seats, stools benches for public parks. There are many sustainable building projects, which are being undertaken by many eco brick enterprisers all over the world.

Making an eco-brick is fairly simple yet technical process, the right material density and weight is important. The best way to identify material that can go into eco brick is to look at the code numbers printed within recyclable symbol in plastic products. Plastic with code numbers 3,6 and 7 can and should go to eco bricks.

Another important aspect to look at is the density. Densely packed eco-bricks are considered strong and of good quality. The Global Eco Bricks Alliance (GEA), which has its roots in the Northern Philippines has determined that a good eco-brick’s density must be higher than 0.33 g/ml – a 600ml bottle must be above 200 grams and a 1500ml bottle must be above 500 grams in weight.

Things required for making an eco-brick

1. Pet bottle with cap
2. Single-use plastic packets
3. Dusting cloth
4. Scissors
5. Stick

Steps to make an eco-brick

1. Segregation of non-recyclable and less recyclable packets for eco bricks
2. Cleaning of the packets with a clean dusting cloth
3. Choosing a clean and dry old pet bottle
4. Cutting the plastic into smaller pieces
5. Packing the plastic waste material in to the bottles
6. Compressing the plastic after packing each 5-6 inches layer
7. Sealing the eco brick bottle with its cap by screwing it tightly.
8. Weighing is important to ensure correct quality product.

Fun facts:

1. Indian community from Pune called Pune Ploggers founded by Vivek Gaurav is making eco-bricks out of plastic collected in waste bins for creating Infrastructure for the underprivileged communities.
2. In New Mexico, USA, Jo Stodgel runs a community eco-brick project since 2014 through his organization Upcycle Santa Fe. The organization conducts regular eco-brick river cleanups and has built a number of structures at local schools.
3. Guatemala built by an organization called Hug It Forward, Vida Atitlan. They have 38 eco brick schools.
4. Ecobricks.org created by Global Ecobrick Alliance provides information on eco-bricks including details of drop off centers.
5. Some centers in India are Kabaadey (9053122979) and Jago Bharat Organization (9582071411)

Pallavi Singh is an educator passionate about sustainability and waste management, which she feels is necessary for the future. Her work can be followed here.

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