4 MIN READ

12-4-2024

Upcycling Plastics: How the Construction Industry is Building with Used Plastic

Alex Schulze , CEO/Co-Founder

Upcycling Plastics: How the Construction Industry is Building with Used Plastic

Recently, there has been a large push to address global plastic waste and help reduce the reliance on virgin materials. The solution to all the plastic that’s still on this planet? Finding ways to safely incorporate these used plastics into everyday materials to give them another life.

One industry where upcycling plastic is becoming more commonplace is construction. Diverting plastic waste into building materials instead of oceans and landfills helps protect ecosystems and can be a creative way to provide community spaces while reducing reliance on new materials. Upcycling plastic can mitigate the environmental harm of plastic waste while creating innovative, sustainable solutions for the construction industry.

Recycled Industrial Materials in Buildings

If you’ve seen any new buildings or homes being built around where you live, chances are high that industrial by-products and plastic waste are now upcycled into many of the materials at that site. Recycled plastic is now being incorporated into all construction areas, and new enterprises are taking advantage of plastic waste as a cheap, efficient, and sustainable building material.

 Everyday, new supplies are hitting the market that use recycled plastic and replace former heavy metals and other synthetic virgin materials. Everything from insulation, roofing tiles, wall panels, bricks, and beyond can be found incorporating a blend of recycled plastic. These hybrid materials are not only more cost-effective, but also lightweight, sustainable, and offer significant long-term energy savings in building operations.

Protection From Natural Phenomena

An Argentinian-based company Arqlite, for example, transforms plastic waste into a lightweight and sustainable alternative to traditional gravel called "Smart Gravel." This material can be used in construction projects as a drainage medium, a concrete aggregate, and for hydroponic gardening. Its advantages include insulation properties and low material weight, contributing to eco-friendly and cost-effective building designs. From a safety perspective, this plastic hybrid gravel can not only withstand heat and fire but also help prevent flames from spreading. Additionally, when tested, these materials offer sturdy seismic performance for withstanding earth trembles. Features like this could be a game changer for places experiencing high risks of intensified natural phenomena in recent years due to climate change.

A Cost-Effective Alternative for Communities 

Companies like Post Rock are finding ways to use recycled plastic in building facades. Post Rock developed high-density plastics repurposed to create a sturdy material that resembles rocks. Kubik, an Ethiopian startup, is addressing plastic waste by turning discarded plastic into low-cost, sustainable materials. Their process has recycled over 500 tons of plastic, creating bricks, panels, and columns for schools, homes, and warehouses. This innovation not only reduces waste but also creates jobs, particularly for women, in local communities. Kubik's success earned $5.2 million in funding, and they aim to scale globally by licensing their technology, all while addressing housing deficits and promoting sustainability.

Another innovative application is creating durable building blocks from recycled plastics. These plastic blocks are lighter than traditional building materials. Despite being lightweight, they still maintain similar strength and durability of concrete bricks. This has offered a viable solution for affordable and quick construction in areas with limited access to traditional materials. These blocks have been used in a number of projects to help create community buildings and spaces.Organizations like UNICEF saw the potential in these blocks and have been using them to build classrooms in developing regions.

Diverting Ocean Plastics To Transform Public Spaces

Similarly, public spaces are trying to reimagine what integrating recycled plastic could look like. In the Netherlands, recycled plastics are being used to prevent more plastic pollution from entering the North Sea while also creating a community space known as the Plastic Park. This project adopts a local, circular approach to tackling plastic pollution by retrieving plastics from the New Meuse River, which is more efficient than collecting waste from the open sea. Plastics collected closer to pollution sources are often of higher quality, making them suitable for recycling. These plastics are used to construct floating parks, which enhance urban spaces and contribute to the harbor ecosystem by supporting vegetation growth and creating habitats for birds.

Even in remote locations like Alaska, individuals are finding creative ways to use plastic for infrastructure. Patrick Simpson, local fisherman and engineer, has partnered with the Solid Waste Services in Anchorage to transform plastic waste into “grizzly lumber.” His venture aims to create durable, versatile materials, such as plastic lumber, that can be used in construction and other industries, while also reducing environmental pollution by repurposing plastics that would otherwise end up in landfills or oceans.

From Plastic Problem to Sustainable Solution

Reframing the plastic waste problem as a potential new resource, the construction industry has taken advantage of this plastic potential and has paved the way for new recycled plastic products, projects, and businesses to thrive. Upcycling plastic into durable, cost-effective building materials offers a sustainable way to reduce waste while addressing critical safety needs in infrastructure. This approach opens up opportunities for both economic growth and environmental protection, positioning plastic waste as a valuable resource and building block for a more sustainable future.