This Colombian invention is not something new, but it does constitute a novel initiative as a solidarity project. Your raw material, manufactured bricks From recycled plastic, they could create homes for millions of homeless people.
They are not as cheap as those made by 3D printers, as we saw in a previous post, but their price is affordable in comparative terms. That is, compared to the usual price of a home. And the results look great, it's durable and allows for very similar builds to conventional ones.
Mutatis mutandis, they are built as if it were a Lego-type game, without even needing cement, but the thing is much more serious. Not surprisingly, we are talking about creating dignified dwellings that solve one of the most important problems that people have. Fundamentally, for its prohibitive prices, impossible to assume for the most humble groups of the world population.
Low cost plastic bricks
Conceptos Plásticos is the father of the creature, some bricks from plastic recycling that is made after pulverizing and compacting it so that they adopt the shape that can be seen in the images. They are then assembled to form the different parts of the house.
It is the solution to a growing problem, up to 40 percent of the population in parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America are homeless. The cost of the living place it is calculated per kilo of plastic processed and not per square meter. One of 40 square meters would cost about 4,500 euros.
Typically, an average house needs about 1,300 bricks, all of them entirely made of plastic. According to its creators, Cristina Gámez, Óscar Méndez and Fernando Llanos, plastic must go through a transformation process that includes grinding, bonding, casting and extrusion, in this order.
Although its placement is simple, it requires elements intermediate that make the function of beam, as well as different finishes for the manufacture of the windows. Therefore, many expenses are avoided, since only recycled plastic is used, lowering the final price.
While the actual manufacturing of the bricks it is complex and expensive. The bottom line, however, is really worth it economically and environmentally. Above all, in countries like Colombia, where these types of solutions are urgently needed to help homeless people.
Specifically, they are building houses for solidarity organizations (NGOs or foundations) or houses commissioned by people who want to donate them. Likewise, helping in the collection of plastic is also another way to help build houses, without having to contribute money.
Among other advantages, they are homes very durable, with an estimated life of around 400 years, which isolate from the outside at a thermal and acoustic level, in addition to being resistant to earthquakes of up to 9.5 degrees, the damage that rodents can do, water and fire, he explains Mendez.
Its price is around 4,500 euros and its construction is feasible in less than a week for 4 people, without the need for specialized knowledge. Another reason why the final cost is more affordable.
The draft has just received an award that is much more than recognition, since the Chivas Venture contest has considered it one of the best business ideas, capable of making a big change in the world, supporting it with 1,000 million dollars.
In the future, they will consider applying the model in other countries. For now, the objective is to focus on his country, where some 1,500 square meters have already been built, although construction companies interested in applying the project in other countries have already emerged.
Now, with the injection of money that the award supposes, they will be able to speed up the work. A feasible objective, as long as they have the necessary support from the plastic industries and the public, since a constant stockpile of material is required. In this sense, people are also being encouraged through different collection points throughout Bogotá.
Ecoinclusion: PET and cement bricks
As we indicated at the beginning of the post, there are other similar initiatives. Among them, the one carried out by the foundation Ecoinclusion for use in Argentina. Despite their differences, they also have a lot in common.
Specifically, in the Alta Gracia municipality to fix flaws in precarious houses or make renovations that help its inhabitants improve their quality of life. Therefore, it also seeks to benefit families that cannot meet the expenses that would be incurred in other ways.
In this case, in addition, ecological work is carried out. Since PET waste is used for its manufacture, which comes from non-toxic packaging. returnable collected through containers specially designed for this purpose.
Conclusions.
As explained from the foundation, 10 two-liter plastic bottles are needed to manufacture a brick, which after crushing is mixed with cement, and its cost is somewhat higher than that of conventional brick.
However, the environmental benefit is valued, since we avoid damage to the environment (PET takes around 500 years to decompose) while saving on raw materials that are polluting. Finally, the project also received an award. The awarding of the award to the best sustainable Latin American project of the Ilumno university network recognized its dual solidarity side, both with people in need and with the environment.
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