This Kenyan woman makes new bricks from old plastic waste

Each of us can influence what tomorrow’s world will look like. Every decision can contribute to whether we will populate a livable planet or whether we will be afflicted by natural disasters or microplastic particles in the future. Take the bus or the car? Buy disposable or returnable bottles? Lightbulb or LED? Even small decisions can make a big difference.

This is also the case with Nzambi Matee. For years, the Kenyan has observed the increasing pollution of nature by plastic. After the government did not take sufficient action against this fact, in their opinion, Matee founded a factory to breathe a second life into the abundant plastic waste. Since then, the capital Nairobi has benefited from this venture.

Specifically, it is about the production of bricks. The stones from Matees factory are made of high density polyethylene (e.g. milk and shampoo bottles) and low density (e.g. packaging for cornflakes and sandwiches) and polypropylene, which is used in ropes and buckets. The company receives some of the waste required for production for free; usually only plastic is used that would not be recycled.

The bricks produced in this way are very stable and are sold for 850 Kenyan shillings per square meter. In this country, you would pay the equivalent of 6.43 euros (as of 02/08/2021). The stones that have been produced since 2017 have already prevented more than 20 tons of plastic waste; with a production of up to 1,500 stones per year, this number will continue to increase.

Own opinion:

Nzambi Matee shows that everyone can contribute to the fight against climate change and environmental pollution. Of course, we can also remain passive and hope that politicians and large companies will take the issue into their own hands, but sometimes you have to tackle the problem yourself. People like Matee inspire and show that it only takes the will and a good idea to make the world a little bit more sustainable.

via REUTERS