ENVIRONMENTAL FUTURE – HOUSES FROM PLASTIC BOTTLES
Plastic is everywhere, in fact, the surrounding area is so inundated with it, that is why researchers believe that by 2050 all the birds on the planet will have something plastic in their stomachs. It is not enough to convince people to use less plastic in everyday life, but also the existing plastics should be altered, re-used and kept away from landfills.
Despite the informative infographics, traumatic statistics and recycling programs, many countries, particularly the US, continue to throw plastics in landfills without much heed. The founder of eco-tech “Environment solutions”, Andreas Froese, who is from Germany, is working on different environment projects. About six years ago, he came up with the idea of building environmentally friendly houses from plastic bottles filled with mud. The first type of this house was built in Honduras, while maintaining a project to collect plastic trash from 10,000 empty plastic bottles which were collected by the volunteers gathered in action to clean the environment. Then he got the idea that the best way to use it practically is to build houses for the poor people and to help the population to save a lot of money. For a short period, there were built more than 50 facilities including houses, schools and water reservoirs. These picturesque houses are resistant to bullets and fire and can withstand an earthquake. Also, they create a warm temperature, do not emit carbon dioxide, and they gain the energy from solar panels and methane from recycled garbage.
Nigeria follows the role model
Poor reality inspired many people to follow his example to be creative with discarded by-products of society. Considering that the crisis for housing in Nigeria is so bad, almost 16 million people should be cared for in terms of this drawback. This solution not only reduces the cost of building a house, it can be beneficial for the environment. This project performed by NGOs from Nigeria and England solves two major problems – solving housing problems for many homeless people and helping the environment. The houses are fully powered by solar energy and methane gas from human and animal feces. To build a house from bottles with two bedrooms, workers fill the plastic bottles with sand and then glued together using mud and cement. These constructions can rise up to three levels up, but no higher than that, because of the weight of the bottles filled with sand. And of course, a variety of recycled bottles gives a unique and cheerful look to each house. To finish a house with two bedrooms, are needed 14,000 bottles. Compared to that, Nigeria throws three million bottles per day.
Greek businessman invests in environmental areas
In one part of Nigeria there are built 25 facilities that are owned by the Greek businessman, as a complex of ecological houses intended to issue the locals. To build every house that has one bedroom and living room, bathroom, kitchen and toilet, there have been used about 7,800 plastic bottles. In these houses, can never be too hot, because sand protects tenants from high outside temperatures.
The opinions expressed herein are the author's and do not necessarily represent the views of Pivara Skopje.
