Posted on :Thursday , 12th October 2023

Representatives in the trash recycling industry have pushed for affordable housing to be built using recycled beverage carton waste as building blocks.

They claimed that in addition to being more cost-effective and time-efficient than traditional stone construction, the technology is also sustainable.

Speaking at the signing of an agreement with Thika's Ramani Warehouse Ltd., a waste recycling company, representatives from the recycling industry, Tetra Pack East Africa and Packaging Producer Responsibility Organisation (PAKPRO), stated that building a home with blocks made from recycled beverage cartons is half the price of building with traditional stones.

They also mentioned that homes made of blocks are fireproof and watertight.

In addition to providing inexpensive housing, the blocks can be utilised to make school desks, kitchen fixtures, tuk-tuk seats, building formwork and residential buildings.

Jonathan Kinisu, MD of Tetra Pak East Africa, stated that garbage collectors are already in place to collect post-consumable waste both at the disposal and in the companies.

He stated that the programmes aim to recover 1,500 metric tonnes of old beverage cartons, which make up 30% of the liquid board packaging made in the nation and that the quantity of waste generated is sustainable.

He continued by saying that in order to raise consumer awareness and boost recycling volume, they are collaborating closely with PAKPRO and the recyclers.

The nation has enough garbage that may be used for good, according to PAKPRO CEO Joyce Gachugi. She also claimed that the company will endeavour to raise public awareness of problems with waste collection and segregation.

She stated that when the nation implements Mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility on November 1st, 2023, the project will act as a catalyst for the recovery of post-consumer liquid board packaging (LBP).

Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Nakuru counties are the project's target counties, she continued, where the recycled garbage will be formed into building blocks that may be utilised to create a variety of objects.

The technology has been tested, according to recycler Kimani Rugendo, MD Ramani Company and Kevian Company, who make the juices Afia and Pick and Peel. They even claimed to have built houses using the technology.

“We started the project seven years ago after the government issued a ban on the usage of plastic bottles. We have been collecting the post-consumer cartons from the juice boxes, shredding them, and making them into boards, which we have put to good use,” he said.

He urged Kenyans to use recycled materials, arguing that doing so will also aid in tackling the nation's problems related to climate change.