Transforming plastic wastes into bricks and pavers

De-Rabacon Plastics is working to solve the problem of plastic waste pollution and housing shortage within the Climate: Housing & Resilience category of MIT Solve's Global Challenges. The plastic waste pollution problem is significant and affects communities globally. In 2019, it was estimated that 359 million tons of plastic waste were generated worldwide, with only 9% being recycled. In some areas, this waste ends up in the environment, where it poses a significant threat to wildlife and ecosystems.

The housing shortage problem is particularly prevalent in low-income communities, with an estimated 1.6 billion people worldwide living in substandard housing conditions. This lack of adequate housing can contribute to a range of health and social issues, including respiratory problems, poor hygiene, and limited access to education and job opportunities.

De-Rabacon Plastics' solution to these interconnected problems is to transform plastic waste into affordable and durable building materials, such as plastic bricks, which can be used to construct housing and infrastructure. By doing so, the project aims to address both the plastic waste pollution problem and the housing shortage problem in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. The project has the potential to impact millions of people living in low-income communities globally, providing them with access to safe and affordable housing while also reducing plastic waste pollution.

De-Rabacon Plastics' solution is a process that transforms plastic waste into durable and affordable building materials, specifically plastic bricks, that can be used in construction projects. The process involves collecting and cleaning plastic waste, shredding it into small pieces, and then melting and moulding it into bricks using a hydraulic press. The bricks are designed to be interlocking, making them easier to use in construction, and can be used for a variety of purposes such as building walls, houses, and other structures.

The technology used is a combination of shredders, hydraulic presses, and moulds, which allows for the efficient transformation of plastic waste into building materials. The solution not only helps to address the issue of plastic waste pollution but also provides a cost-effective and durable building material, which can contribute to sustainable development and resilience in communities.

The target population for De-Rabacon Plastics' plastic waste to bricks projects are low-income families and communities in Nigeria who lack access to affordable and sustainable building materials. These communities are currently underserved in terms of affordable housing and sustainable building materials, which can lead to substandard living conditions and negative environmental impacts. The solution, which turns plastic waste into affordable and durable bricks, addresses their needs by providing a sustainable and low-cost alternative to traditional building materials, such as clay bricks, which are expensive and not environmentally friendly. This solution not only addresses the issue of plastic waste but also provides access to affordable housing for low-income families, improving their living conditions and quality of life.

The De-Rabacon Plastics team has the right combination of technical expertise, entrepreneurial experience, and a deep commitment to sustainability and social impact to design and deliver this solution to the target population. The Team Lead, Yolo Bakumor Smith, is a social entrepreneur and climate activist with certifications in PMP, Quality Management, HSE, and Polymer Engineering. His technical knowledge in polymer engineering, project management, and health and safety makes him an ideal leader for this project.

The team also has experience engaging with the target population and understanding their needs. Through partnerships with local NGOs and community organizations, we have conducted needs assessments and engaged with local communities to understand their challenges and needs. The team has also held focus group discussions to gather feedback and incorporate community input into their design and implementation process.

Furthermore, the team is committed to engaging with the target population throughout the implementation phase to ensure that the solution meets their needs and addresses their challenges. We have designed a feedback mechanism that allows for continuous improvement of the solution based on feedback from the users.

500,000

De-Rabacon Plastics faces several barriers in scaling its solution to impact more people and communities. These barriers include financial, technical, and market barriers.

Financially, the company requires funding to purchase equipment, set up production facilities, and scale production to meet demand. We also need resources to expand their marketing and outreach efforts to reach more potential customers and partners. Through the MIT Solve Global Challenges program, De-Rabacon Plastics can access funding and investment opportunities and receive mentorship and guidance from experts in the field.

Technically, De-Rabacon Plastics encounters challenges in optimizing its technology to produce high-quality, durable plastic bricks consistently, while also trying to adapt our solution to meet the unique needs of different communities and regions. Through Solve's network of experts, the team can receive technical support and guidance to overcome these challenges and ensure the quality and effectiveness of their solution.

In terms of market barriers, De-Rabacon Plastics needs to overcome regulatory and legal barriers to enter new markets, as well as navigate cultural differences and preferences related to housing construction materials. Through Solve's network of partners, the team can gain access to resources and support to help us navigate these challenges and successfully expand our solution to more communities and regions.

Compared to other solutions in the market, De-Rabacon Plastics' approach is unique in its use of plastic waste as a raw material, which not only reduces the amount of plastic waste in the environment but also provides a sustainable and affordable construction material. Additionally, the technology used in the manufacturing process of plastic bricks is simple and cost-effective, which means it can be easily adopted by local communities and can help create jobs. By catalyzing positive impacts from others in this space, De-Rabacon Plastics' solution could lead to the emergence of a circular economy around plastic waste management, where waste is viewed as a resource rather than a problem. 

This approach could not only reduce the amount of plastic waste in the environment but also provide sustainable and affordable building materials for construction projects.

The solution changes the market by creating a new niche in the construction industry for affordable, sustainable building materials made from recycled plastic waste. This could spur innovation in the space and motivate other companies to explore similar solutions.

Our impact goals at De-Rabacon Plastics are centred on reducing plastic waste, improving housing, and creating economic opportunities for underserved communities. Specifically, we aim to convert at least 200,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste into bricks annually and prevent it from polluting the environment. We want to provide affordable, durable, and environmentally friendly building materials to construct affordable housing for at least 50,000 low-income households over the next 5 years. Our goal is also to create at least 20,000 direct and indirect jobs in the plastic waste management and housing sectors and contribute to the economic development of the communities we serve.

To achieve these goals, we plan to scale up our plastic waste-to-bricks technology and collaborate with local and international partners, including governments, NGOs, and private sector actors. We are working closely with communities to understand their needs and co-create solutions that address their specific challenges. By creating a market for recycled plastic, we hope to inspire other entrepreneurs to develop similar innovations and promote a more circular economy. We believe that our solution can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future while improving the lives of underserved communities.

The specific indicators that are used to measure the progress of our solution include:

1. The volume of plastic waste converted to bricks annually
2. Number of low-income households that have access to affordable housing constructed with De-Rabacon's plastic bricks
3. Number of direct and indirect jobs created in the plastic waste management and housing sectors
4. Reduction in plastic waste pollution and greenhouse gas emissions due to the use of De-Rabacon's plastic bricks in construction
5. Amount of CO2 emissions reduced due to the use of De-Rabacon's plastic bricks compared to traditional building materials
6. Number of partnerships established with local and international partners, including governments, NGOs, and private sector actors
7. Percentage increase in the income of communities where De-Rabacon operates due to the creation of economic opportunities
8. Amount of investment and funding received for the scaling of the plastic waste-to-bricks technology and the construction of affordable housing
9. Community satisfaction with the quality and affordability of housing constructed with De-Rabacon's plastic bricks.

These indicators align with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and Goal 13 (Climate Action).

De-Rabacon Plastics' theory of change is as follows:

Activities:

1. Collect and sort plastic waste from communities
2. Shred and mix plastic waste with other materials to produce bricks
3. Train and employ community members to participate in plastic waste management and brickmaking

Outputs:

1. At least 20,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste are converted into bricks annually, preventing pollution and improving the environment
2. At least 20,000 direct and indirect jobs created in the plastic waste management and housing sectors
3. Improved infrastructure for plastic waste management in communities

Outcomes:

1. Reduced plastic waste and improved environmental health for communities
2. Increased availability of affordable, durable, and environmentally friendly building materials for low-income households, leading to improved housing
3. Increased economic opportunities and income for community members, contributing to economic development

De-Rabacon Plastics’ solution impacts the problem by creating a market for recycled plastic waste that would otherwise pollute the environment. By turning plastic waste into bricks, we are providing affordable, durable, and environmentally friendly building materials for low-income households that would otherwise not be able to afford them. This, in turn, can lead to a more sustainable and equitable future, where plastic waste is managed effectively, and communities have access to affordable housing and economic opportunities.

De-Rabacon Plastics' core technology is a traditional process that converts plastic waste into slabs for flood control. This has been adapted to both weight and non-weight-bearing use in construction with innovative designs, the process involves sorting, shredding, washing, and melting the plastic waste to create a molten mixture that is poured into moulds to create the bricks using a hydraulic press system. The bricks are then cured and ready to be used in construction. This technology is innovative because it addresses two problems at once: plastic waste pollution and the need for affordable building materials. The use of plastic waste in construction materials also reduces the need for traditional materials like cement and clay bricks, which have a higher carbon footprint. Additionally, the interlocking design of the bricks reduces the need for mortar during construction, making the building process more efficient and cost-effective. 

De-Rabacon Plastics is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all aspects of its work. Our leadership team and staff are composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and we recognize the importance of including diverse perspectives in our decision-making processes. As part of our commitment to DEI, we are actively working to increase the diversity of our team and engage with communities that we serve to ensure that our work is inclusive and responsive to their needs. We are actively seeking partnerships with organizations that have a proven track record in promoting DEI to ensure that we are held accountable and remain committed to this work.

In addition, we are committed to providing equal opportunities for employment and advancement within our organization, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other identities. We believe that a diverse team with a variety of experiences and perspectives is essential for creating innovative and effective solutions to complex challenges. We will continue to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all aspects of our work, and remain open to feedback and collaboration with partners and communities to ensure that our efforts are effective and meaningful.