Kenyan Scientists Turn Plastic Waste Into Tiles

Two environmental scientists are stepping up to fight Kenya’s plastic pollution crisis: upon witnessing the mountains of waste in the central town of Gilgil, the scientists decided to turn trash into building blocks for the community.

“We wanted to do something with all this plastic waste and after a lot of brainstorming, research and experimenting, we came up with a value-added product with market demand that would also help to reduce all this plastic in the environment,” says Hope Mwanake, 30, who founded Eco Blocks and Tiles along with fellow scientist Kevin Mureithi.

Kenya produces over three million tonnes of waste, of which only 8% is recycled. Eco Blocks and Tiles is the first company in the nation that makes construction materials such as roof tiles out of plastic and glass waste. Sold at a similar cost to concrete and clay tiles, the “ecotiles” end up saving money as they are more durable, lighter, easier to install and even safer for rainwater collection.

The Kenyan government is also supporting the company as it promotes greener goods in an aim to fight pollution. To date, Eco Tiles and Blocks turned well over 56 tonnes of plastic waste into 75,000 tiles for 30 houses and offices.