Kenyan Woman’s Startup Recycles Plastic into Bricks that are Stronger than Concrete

[mzeiya]

Full story: https://www.designboom.com/technology/gjenge-makers-recycled-plastic-bricks-kenya-02-08-2021/

 

[The.Black.Templar]

This is good, kama hana godfather its just a matter of time before KRA wamkujie

 

[Aviator]

This is nice.

 

[Aviator]

This is good, kama hana godfather its just a matter of time before KRA wamkujie

Sadly

 

[Sogomba Sadamkale]

Are they fire retardant ama they burn like plastic za kawaida? Does the sun break it down? What about microplastics?

 

[mzeiya]

Are they fire retardant ama they burn like plastic za kawaida? Does the sun break it down? What about microplastics?

Very good questions. I think the greatest challenge with turning plastics into bricks or any other construction material is sustainability (too expensive to make it feasible) and the questions you have asked. But they can be well used in place of cabro and other less strenuous physical developments

 

[upepo]

A very bad idea. Plastic should only be recycled back to plastic items. I do not know of anyone who would want to replace the original concrete block with something inferior, polluting, and more expensive.

 

[Afro]

Are they fire retardant ama they burn like plastic za kawaida? Does the sun break it down? What about microplastics?

I hope they have an R&D department for addressing such matters

 

[mzeiya]

A very bad idea.

Is it really bad if it creates employment and helps reduce plastic waste. Granted, it's far from perfect but a worthy start if you ask me

 

[Ngimanene na Muchere]

Curious the unit cost compared to the colorful ones used by NMS

 

[Aviator]

A very bad idea. Plastic should only be recycled back to plastic items. I do not know of anyone who would want to replace the original concrete block with something inferior, polluting, and more expensive.

Why do you say they are inferior or more expensive?
And I thought using them this was is better than having them block our drainages and beaches.

 

[Karma_mama]

Classrooms made from recycled plastic waste come to Ivory Coast

Plastic bricks made via a recycling process developed by a Colombian social enterprise are being used to help tackle a huge shortfall of classrooms in the West African nation of Ivory Coast.

www.france24.com

 

[Field Marshal]

And from the woodwork the usual keyboard critics....... Irritating!

 

[mzeiya]

 

[Aviator]

Here are the prices

 

[upepo]

Here are the prices
View attachment 30112

Now compare those prices with the real paving blocks. One would need to be very very stupid to choose plastic over concrete. No contractor worth his salt would go with plastic.

 

[upepo]

Why do you say they are inferior or more expensive?
And I thought using them this was is better than having them block our drainages and beaches.

Poor resistance to UV, seepage of chemicals into the soil, unpleasant smell, poor resistance to indentation, susceptibility to heat. cracking with time, much weaker that concrete (ignore the claims), impervious to water, mixed plastics cannot be recycled again, higher production cost, bad use of an otherwise noble material, ............. the list is endless. This idea has been reincarnated a hundred times since the invention of plastics but the bottom line is that it is not practical.

 

[upepo]

Are they fire retardant ama they burn like plastic za kawaida? Does the sun break it down? What about microplastics?

These are the critical questions the crowds believe should not interrupt a good story. A-94 vindicated.

 

[Aviator]

Poor resistance to UV, seepage of chemicals into the soil, unpleasant smell, poor resistance to indentation, susceptibility to heat. cracking with time, much weaker that concrete (ignore the claims), impervious to water, mixed plastics cannot be recycled again, higher production cost, bad use of an otherwise noble material, ............. the list is endless. This idea has been reincarnated a hundred times since the invention of plastics but the bottom is that it is not practical.

I asked these questions but am yet to get any response.

 

[mzeiya]

I asked these questions but am yet to get any response.
View attachment 30298

Same concern as having wooden floors?