Kenyan Woman Recycles Plastic Waste into Bricks

Nzambi Matee, had the brilliant idea to recycle plastic waste and turn it into bricks that are stronger than concrete. The 29-year-old, who is a trained engineer and schooled in biochemistry, found new ways of converting waste into sustainable materials.

Her startup company, Gjenge Maker, has created this low-cost building material with the hopes of reducing the excess plastic waste in construction sites. Since its founding in 2017, the factory has recycled 20 tonnes of plastic waste.

Kenyan Nzambi Matee turns plastic waste into bricks

The materials are collected from packaging factories for free and from other recyclers for a small cost. With all of the plastic waste she gathers, her factory produces 1500 bricks each day, recycling approximately 500 kilograms of waste daily. These bricks are composed of a mix of different types of plastics.

Gjenge Maker has begun using the recycled bricks in houses, schools and streets. This long-lasting product is a sustainable and affordable solution that will help bring down the amount of plastic waste.

Thanks to her project, Matee has been named a Young Champion of the Earth 2020 Africa winner at the United Nations Environment Programme. This award provides funding and mentorship for environmentalists around the world who want to help solve some of the Earth's more pressing problems.

Bibliography

Alonso, L. (2021, February 10th). Nzambi Matee, la keniata que convierte el plástico en ladrillos para construcción. Cultura Inquieta. Retrieved from https://culturainquieta.com/es/sostenibilidad/item/17808-nzambi-matee-la-keniata-que-convierte-el-plastico-en-ladrillos-para-construccion.html

Gjenge Makers Ltd. (2021) Kenyan woman recycles plastic waste into bricks stronger than concrete. Retrieved from: https://www.optimistdaily.com/2021/02/kenyan-woman-recycles-plastic-waste-into-bricks-stronger-than-concrete/

WA Contents. (2021, February 12th). Kenyan Startup Founder Nzambi Matee Recycles Plastic To Make Bricks That Are Stronger Than Concrete. World Architecture. Retrieved from https://worldarchitecture.org/article-links/egmeg/kenyan-startup-founder-nzambi-matee-recycles-plastic-to-make-bricks-that-are-stronger-than-concrete.html

Waita, E. (2021, February 2nd). Kenyan recycles plastic waste into bricks stronger than concrete. World Architecture. Reuters. WA Contents. Retrieved from https://worldarchitecture.org/article-links/egmeg/kenyan-startup-founder-nzambi-matee-recycles-plas