Kenyan woman makes bricks out of plastic.

A constructive solution to plastic waste pollution:

Our #BrydgInsight this week goes to Gjenge_Makers, a Nairobi based start-up led by female entrepreneur Nzambi Matee! Matee has developed a unique process that turns plastic waste into lightweight and low cost building materials. Her invention couldn’t come at a better time, what with plastic waste being known as a huge obstacle in sustainable industry practice.

So far, Matee has reworked more than 20 tonnes of consumer and industrial plastic waste (types which are notoriously difficult to recycle, e.g. polypropylene, polyethene) into a replacement for concrete bricks. Her invention is an improvement on concrete in a number of ways, but most importantly cost wise. Not only are her bricks lighter and stronger (holding twice the weight threshold of conventional concrete), they are between 30-35% cheaper than standard bricks.

In an industry where cost is often prioritised over waste, this is a ground-breaking effort. It is also a reminder that the difficulty with sustainable work practices isn’t necessarily a lack of innovation, but a reluctance to abandon cheap, tried and trusted methods. Matee’s work circumvents this issue by acting as an attractive cost-effective resolution in an industry that is in desperate need of sustainable overhaul.

Her work in the field of sustainable construction has won her the Young Champion of the Earth 2020 award, the United Nations’ highest environmental honour! Gjenge Makers motto is “Build Alternatively, Build Affordably, Build Sustainably”, an ethos which has created opportunities for unskilled youths in the region, whilst promoting female entrepreneurship and innovation.

We chose to recognise Matee’s achievement because of her commitment to a greener future for the construction industry. We couldn’t think of a better person to share with you this week!

We’re keen to promote sustainability here at Brydg; if you have a loan proposal that is in the interest of sustainable practice, submit it here at brydg.com 🔗

#GreenFuture #EnvironmentalSustanability #PlasticWasteSolution