Ecobricks: Overview and Applications

Ecobricking, a new method of reusing plastic waste, has gained popularity in recent years. What started in 2003 as an independent waste-repurposing project in Guatemala has sparked global momentum, inspiring new community projects, and growing awareness around conscious waste management (Stodgel, 2018).

What are Ecobricks?

An Ecobrick is a method of reusing plastic waste by densely filling a plastic bottle with plastic waste until it is firm enough to act as a brick. Ecobricks are typically packed by hand, filled with an accumulation of individuals' day-to-day household plastic waste. This technology requires minimal resources and/or skill to engage in, and acts as an affordable and accessible waste disposal solution to many.

Why are they relevant?

Plastic pollution is becoming an ever-increasing threat to the world. According to Statistics Canada, Canadians reportedly throw away over 3 million tonnes of plastic waste every year (ECCC, 2023). Of this plastic, only as little as 9% is properly recycled, while the rest ends up in our landfills or being burned (ECCC, 2023). On a global scale, approximately 300 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated each year (Lai, 2022). Ecobricks are in no way a comprehensive solution to this plastic waste problem, but they offer a possibility to reduce the accumulation of plastics, fuel innovative development, and simultaneously encourage community involvement.

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."  (Brundtland, 1987)

The UN’s well-referenced definition of sustainability is the foundation for others’ working definitions of sustainability, such as the elaborated definitions provided by McGill University and the University of Alberta, which extend to address social equity and existing within the set limits of ecosystems (UofA, 2013; Robinson 2014). Sustainability is the process of fulfilling our present needs, within the limits of the natural and physical resources available to us, while allowing future living systems and humans to maintain or thrive in perpetuity (UofA, 2013). There are three multidisciplinary pillars which form the framework for sustainability, the environment, the economy, and society (Clune & Zehnder, 2018). For sustainability to occur, each pillar’s long-term development should be fostered without sacrificing the integrity of another. 

Ecobricks are applicable to the sustainable development of physical structures and objects (e.g. furniture, walls, buildings, etc.) by serving as an inexpensive constructive material, made through the repurposing of plastic pollution, and ultimately decreasing the amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills for present and future generations.

1. Environmental Sustainability

When thinking about sustainability, the environmental pillar is often the first aspect individuals consider. Environmental sustainability calls for the maintenance of the earth’s ecosystem and resources, and the reduction of environmental stressors (Purvis et al., 2019). Projects with a focus on environmental sustainability may aim to improve the quality of natural resources (water, air, soil), or reduce pollutants, such as emitted greenhouse gasses or accumulated tangible waste (Purvis et al., 2019). 

Ecobrick technology is a useful method of preventing environmental contamination by repurposing plastic that exists in excess on earth. Creating and using non-biodegradable plastic bricks can prevent the contamination of natural resources by the degradation of plastic waste (Low, 2018). Packing soft plastics densely into bottles traps and prevents the release of greenhouse gases (e.g. methane and carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere during plastic degradation, and the spread of small, loose micro-plastic contaminants (Low, 2018). Ecobricking reuses plastics that would have otherwise been put into landfills, repurposing them to progress community structures at a low cost (Santander Universidades, 2022).

2. Economic Sustainability

In order for economies to perpetuate sustainably, an optimal cost-benefit balance must be found which allows for the creation of jobs and profitability, but not at the expense of earth's ecosystem services and resources (Purvis et al., 2019). 

As previously stated, Ecobricking projects are sourced from plastics that already exist in excess on earth. Construction with Ecobricks does not require additional non-renewable natural resources or disruptive resource extraction techniques. Instead, this method requires no machines, technology, or special skills, but produces similar results to structures made from real bricks and heavy machinery. This easily accessible and inexpensive constructive method works towards economic sustainability by offering a highly profitable product for people to construct, which will go on to contribute to the development of the community (Santander Universidades, 2022). 

The grassroots movement of Ecobricking has been carried by not-for-profit participation, however, in recent years the Global Ecobrick Alliance (GEA) has developed a market where completed Ecobricks can be exchanged for profit, with a new currency they coined "BrikCoin" (GEA, 2022). This new market has the potential to grow job opportunities in the future, through profitable brick-making and/or Ecobrick construction projects.

3. Social Sustainability

The social pillar of sustainability calls for the fostering our society through the promotion of human health, education, resource security, and many other important social elements of society (Purvis et al., 2019). 

Ecobricking can help to re-empower individuals and communities to take full responsibility for their plastic, by requiring individuals to dedicate time to all of the plastic they consume (Low, 2018). Disposing of one's plastic waste in this manner can lead to the questioning of one's habits (e.g. use of plastic items, purchasing of plastic-wrapped items, etc.), and encourage individuals to make lifestyle changes to reduce the total quantity of plastic they use. 

In addition to the individual social elements of Ecobricking, projects in this industry can bring together entire communities to construct both small and large scale structures. Ecobricking can engage the community in collaborative efforts, as Ecobrick projects require numerous bottles to be filled (i.e. lots of hands needed to fill bottles). Further, the GoBrick app is a network that connects Ecobrick creators around the world to share and collect their bricks (GEA, 2022). 

Ecobricks have a wide range of applications due to their durability, versatility, and eco-friendliness. They can be used to construct a variety of structures and objects, making them an ideal material for sustainable building projects. These projects are becoming more popular in recent years and have been emerging in countries worldwide.

Below is an interactive map displaying eight cases where Ecobricks have been applied either practically or educationally. Each case is categorized as a small-scale application or a large-scale application. These distinctions were made on the basis of temporal and spatial scales. For example, a small-scale application may involve a bench, artwork, or a school project. Large-scale events may include building a structure, or projects with large-reaching community involvement.

--- Click on either a photo or point on the map below to learn more about each case ---

It is critical to educate the public about globally-used innovations in sustainable development and to track their progress. But it is also important to encourage individuals to incorporate mindful waste practices into their lives and to partake in hands-on eco-projects. Participating in Ecobrick projects can be done from the comfort of your home, fueled solely by plastic waste products accumulated in everyday life (i.e plastic packaging and plastic bottles). Here are ten easy steps you can follow to make an Ecobrick, to then be donated to organized projects or kept for personal use.

Instructions on How to Construct an Ecobrick

1. Choose your bottle Use an easily accessible bottle type to you/your community for consistency. Ideally, the bottle should be transparent and under 600mL in size. [Note: larger bottles are okay, however, they will require more plastic to become full and are unlikely to be accepted by Ecobrick donation sites.]

2. Get your stick ready Find a long and hard dowel that can reach the bottom of the empty bottle, and be held comfortably. [Tip: a drumstick or the end of a wooden spoon works well.]

3. Save, separate, clean, and dry your plastics Examples of plastics that CAN be put inside the bottles are plastic bags, laminated (photo) paper, polystyrene (or styrofoam), saran wrap, chip bags, straws, plastic cutlery, and plastic fruit and vegetable packaging.

4. Sort out unwanted materials Examples of materials that CAN NOT be put into Ecobricks are paper products, cardboard, metals (e.g. tinfoil), glass, and bio-degradables.

5. Prepare your plastic Cut plastic into small pieces that can easily be placed inside the bottle. [Tip: long 1-inch-wide strips are desirable.]

6. Start by adding a bottom colour (optional) Adding plastic of a uniform colour at the base of the brick can add aesthetic or design to projects with exposed bottle bases.

7. Pack the bottle tight, and mix plastics as you go Compact the plastic with your stick continuously throughout the process, not just at the end, to minimize air gaps between the pieces. This ensures a more tightly packed brick.

8. Weigh your Ecobrick to ensure quality Each bottle must be between 0.33 g/ml (min density) and 0.7 g/ml (max density). This can be measured by weighing the Ecobrick and dividing the mass by the bottle’s volume.

9. Cap and log (optional) On the outside of the bottle, clearly write the Ecobricker’s name, the final weight, the date, and year and the intended Project. If you are submitting your brick on the GoBrick App you also need to include the generated serial number. This step is not necessary when using Ecobricks for personal (at home) projects.

10. Store your Ecobrick Until you start your intended project, store your Ecobrick indoors, out of the sun. If possible, cover bricks with cloth or store them in boxes to avoid dust or chemicals accumulating..

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Now you have a ready-to-use Ecobrick for your desired project!

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Donating your Ecobricks

If you do not have a personal project in mind for your Ecobricks, there are other options. On the official Ecobrick website, there is a portal to the ‘Brik Market’. This is a space where finished bottles can be sold or exchanged as either a donation or for currency to support various projects or communities. In addition, the Brik Market has set up a "Brikcoin Manual Blockchain", that can be rewarded as a currency in exchange for filled bottles (GEA, 2022). Another option is partaking in local Ecobrick exchanges that can be found on multiple platforms, such as Facebook Marketplace.

Meghan Grenke (she/her) is in her final year of her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Earth and Atmospheric Science and a minor in Mathematics. She has a special interest in meteorology, atmosphere and climate modeling, has a passion for sustainability, and a drive to learn about global innovative sustainable practices.

Stephanie Haeubl (she/her) is an undergraduate student at the University of Alberta earning a Bachelor of Science, majoring in both Biological Sciences and Psychology. She is passionate about the long-term sustainable management of the environment and economy, and is a strong advocate for increasing accessibility to environmentally conscious options for everyone. 

Meghan and Stephanie have been friends and classmates since childhood, and have had the opportunity to collaborate on many projects. Their unique skill sets and educational backgrounds, augmented by the complementary partnership that they have built over the years, have led them to develop this shared integrative project to fulfill their Sustainability Certificates at the University of Alberta.