An Ecobrick is a plastic bottle packed to a set density with used, clean and dry plastic to achieve a

building block that can be used over and over again. Ecobricks can also be packed with other non-
biological un-recyclables that, un-contained, are toxic to the environment (i.e. styrofoam, wires,
small batteries, etc.). Ecobricks are used to make modular furniture, garden spaces, walls and even
full-scale buildings. Ecobricks are an exciting way that individuals, communities, and companies
can start their immeditate transition from plastic towards ever greener harmony with the Earth’s
cycles.
Ecobricks are a stepping stone out of the old paradigm of ‘waste’ and ‘trash’. Ecobricking
gives value to what was once value-less. Ecobricks are designed to leverage the longevity
and durability of plastic, to create an indefinitely reusable, cradle to cradle, building
block. They are made by cleaning, drying, then packing plastic into a PET drinking bottle.
This enables plastic to be kept out of the environment, and out of the ineffective industrial
recycling system. Once packed solid (with a minimum density of 0.33g/ml) ecobricks can be
used to build green spaces for our community, furniture for our homes, and many
other practical applications.
This site and our Ecobrick Guides have been crafted to help you get started ecobricking, to
assist the training others to ecobrick, and to establish best practices for the making and
application of ecobricks. Our goal is to empower you and your community with the know-
how to make ecobricks and build with them. Our GEA resources are the result of years of
research, experimentation and trial and error around the world through the Global Ecobrick
Alliance.

Advantage of ECO brick technology

PET – polyethylene terephthalate

Abundant usage

Harmful

Properties

Usage- ways

RECYCLE REUSE

Problems with R-R

DISPOSAL

Found first in Nigeria

Empty waste plastic bottle + sand or cement slurry filling = brick

Using this technique in construction

Replacing bricks with eco bricks

WHY IS ECO BRICK PREFERRED ??

Repurposing used PET bottles into useful building materials

Well insulated

Sturdy

Cheaper

Easy to build

Greatway to solve homelessness in economically backward countries

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

Collect

Fill them with sand and cement paste

Seal them with cement paste

Construction of foundation

Construction of pillar and and collumns

Construction of wall

Levelling of floors

Plastering and painting wall

ADVANTAGES  reducing environmental pollution especially in cities, villages, rivers, lakes and
seas.  simple recycling system, applicable worldwide.  recycling system uses human –thus
renewable, energy.  recycles all plastic waste, soft and clean, without distinction; including cigarette
butts, Styrofoam, metallic paper wrapping, plastic bags, etc.  avoids transport of waste, as the
purpose is to collect local garbage.  takes cubic meters of plastic into constructions, avoiding those
to end up in dumping sites, in rivers or seas.  provides new livelihood activities for people working at
dumping sites, new skills for masons, new opportunities for construction companies.  contributes to
reducing emissions to the atmosphere, since it replaces pollutant construction materials.  reduces
high CO2 emission and deforestation caused by bricks making which production requires lots of
energy, of wood and generates lots of CO2.  avoids the purchase and transport of conventional
construction materials, it can be sourced locally.  effective isolating material.  earthquake-resistant 
Homes made from recycled plastic bottles, such as the typical round shaped Nigerian homes, are
bullet-proof and earthquake resistant.  They are fire-proof while keeping a snug year-round
temperature of 64 degrees F.

DISADVANTAGES  The constructions done using this technology are only temporary as it is
ongoing research.  The compressive strength and tensile strength which determines the strength of
the construction is not determined.  Providing of plumbing and electricity lines is still not proper. 
The threatening disadvantage is pollution as if this technology is adapted world wide , then there is a
risk of increase in production of plastic.