Summary

Premier Enviro Solutions’ “Plastic 2 Build” initiative of converting plastic waste to construction materials allows for the construction of affordable housing while recycling waste to a valued resource, thus creating income opportunities for marginalized communities.

Background and Objective

The technology and approach, originally designed for riverside informal housing communities in Kolleh Town, Freetown Sierra Leone, has potential application to parts of Asia where high levels of plastic waste combine with the need for affordable housing and income generating opportunities. The organization is currently in discussions with stakeholders in Malaysia and the Philippines to bring this housing solution to the Asia-Pacific region.

Gender and Social Inclusivity

Houses built with these materials will be lower in cost than traditional homes, reducing relocation pressure on families; with supportive rent-to-own policies tied to recycled materials requirements, families will also be able to establish home ownership, with further long-term development benefits to families and communities. This initiative also brings together various stakeholders to cooperate and pool their resources. This approach provides low-income communities an opportunity to construct affordable housing while reducing plastic waste and youth unemployment – thus addressing three major challenges facing communities worldwide. By being able to use a range of plastics to make construction materials, Plastic 2 Build brings the benefit of locally sourced, lower-cost construction materials, and gives value to plastic waste which can be collected by local youth for income.

Innovative Initiative

Plastic 2 Build seeks to address the multiple issues of large slum populations, high youth unemployment, and high levels of plastic waste, through a combination of innovative construction technology and housing policies. An appropriate policy push for the uptake of recycled waste in housing materials will stimulate investor drive for quality recycled housing materials, which will in turn enable income generating opportunities for those collecting plastic waste. As of the moment, the team behind this project is calling for the creation of an enabling environment that enables Plastic 2 Build to be ushered in to the market. The group is advocating for the government’s support to help generate market interest in the product through stipulating that new construction developments should have at least 30% building materials from recycled plastics. Plastic 2 Build also proposes that construction companies that use recycled plastic are given tax breaks as a form of incentive.