Kenyan Engineer Transforms Plastic Waste into Stronger, Cheaper Building Bricks

In a groundbreaking innovation addressing both environmental pollution and housing challenges, Kenyan mechanical engineer Nzambi Matee has developed construction bricks made from recycled plastic waste that are stronger and more affordable than traditional concrete.

Matee, the founder of Nairobi-based startup Gjenge Makers, began her journey in 2017 by experimenting with plastic waste in her mother’s backyard. By 2019, she had designed and built machinery capable of mass-producing these eco-friendly bricks. The bricks, composed of a mixture of recycled plastic and sand, are subjected to high temperatures and compression, resulting in a product that is up to seven times stronger than concrete and 30% cheaper [1] [2] .

Gjenge Makers sources plastic waste from packaging factories and other recyclers, effectively turning non-recyclable plastic into durable building materials. The company’s factory produces up to 1,500 bricks daily, contributing to both waste reduction and job creation in Nairobi [1].

These bricks are currently used for paving roads, driveways, and sidewalks, with plans to expand into affordable housing projects. The initiative not only offers a sustainable solution to plastic pollution but also addresses the need for cost-effective construction materials in Kenya.

Matee’s innovative work has garnered international recognition, including being named a Young Champion of the Earth by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2020 [3] .

For more information, visit Gjenge Makers.

Citations:

1. Reuters: www.reuters.com/article/business/environment/kenyan-recycles-plastic-waste-into-bricks-stronger-than-concrete-idUSKBN2A211M/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Architectural Digest India: www.architecturaldigest.in/story/a-kenyan-woman-makes-pavement-bricks-using-plastic-waste/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. euronews: www.euronews.com/green/2020/12/16/single-use-plastic-is-being-turned-into-colourful-pavements-in-kenya?utm_source=chatgpt.com