In this increasing situation of global environmental pollution, the Nigerian people have ‘bottled up’ a unique construction idea for their house. Being among one of the most populated African countries, houses have always been a top priority in Nigeria. The villagers have come up with a creative solution and have created a new sustainable construction technology by using discarded plastic bottles as prime raw material for building their houses. This eco-friendly construction method is strong and durable, with the ability to withstand fire, earthquakes, and even bullets! Imagine that! According to Al Jazeera reports, this method is called bottle-brick technology, which makes the walls 18-times stronger than regular brick walls.
The Process
Mainly school drop-out or jobless youth are employed in these new house-building projects in the central state of Kaduna. They collect discarded plastic bottles to fill up with sand. Then the sand-filled bottles are stacked with the help of a traditional mud technology-based glue to construct the walls. Finally, the outside is secured with a crisscross patterned net. It results in a striking lattice pattern throughout the wall. Almost 14,000 plastic bottles are used to build a single house.
The Impact
With raw materials being almost free, these houses cost a third less than traditional housing prices in the region. These new affordable homes are offered for lower prices to help rural villagers. Staff at the Development Association for Renewable Energies are trying to secure more funding and expansion of the building technology enterprise. They are keeping faith in the Nigerian Government to do so, by pitching the project. This construction method is also gaining popularity among global environmentalists and green architects. Through this new recycling method, Nigeria is contributing benefits for the neighborhood and the planet as a whole, all in an exceptional and exemplary way.