Polybriks

Transforming plastic waste into durable and affordable construction materials as we tackle climate change.

Waste plastic is collected from within the communities and recycled to manufacture Polybriks, tiles, ceiling, among other construction materials.

The waste plastic is fixed into durable materials that will be locked up in permanent constructions that will last for centuries. The plastic in the product or building will not be accessible for recycling into transitory products.

Relatively large amounts of collected plastic will be molded into individual products which will act as trusted plastic reservoirs. This is a solution to plastic pollution.

Processes involved in the solution include;

Collecting and sorting of the different plastic wastes. This involves GPS readers equipped on every trash bin.

Shredding of the plastic using plastic shredder machine

Molding of plastic into products using 3D printing technology and traditional technology of human-developed molders and architecture technology.

Plastic pollution.

In Kampala and Uganda at large, plastic usage has been increasing over the past decades and these plastic products are less durable. This resulted in a surge in plastic waste disposal in the communities. Up to 600 metric tons of plastic waste a day (2021). Attempts have been made to tackle the problem but only about 6.1% of the waste is collected for recycling.

Citizens living in the suburbs of Kampala (app. 3,100,000) are the most affected especially when the disposed of plastic blocks the drainage systems of the area. 

The problem is escalated by; -

 the improper disposal of plastic waste by household individuals. At most times, citizens dispose of the plastics together with bio-wastes into their land farms.

 the rise of usage of single-use plastics.

 recycling waste products into transitory non-durable products for reuse by the citizens. This increases the chance of that very plastic being poorly disposed of in a short time.

Plastics blocks drainage channels thus resulting in frequent flooding, burning of plastic waste as a way of reducing their volumes in households results in the release of toxic gases responsible for respiratory issues, plastic wastes in Lakes are consumed by fish, waste plastics harbor disease vectors such as mosquitoes which threatens the people's lives.

Globally, waste plastic contributes to climate change. both through direct release of greenhouse gases when heated and indirectly by negatively affecting aquatic organisms.

Public. These are the general people within the communities regardless of gender, education level, age, religion in the area where the solution is being implemented. 

The creation of plastic waste-free communities will positively change people’s behavior towards plastic waste disposal. The solution will eliminate waste disposal sites that act as breeding sites of various disease vectors such as mosquitos, houseflies.

The solution provides durable affordable construction materials for community critical facilities such as hospitals, schools, etc.

Youth. This includes individuals within the 16-30 age group, both males and females that are able to participate in the solution’s activities. The youths in Uganda constitute 77% of the total population with over 7.3 million people.

In Uganda, unemployment is the main challenge faced by the youth, with an estimated rate of 2.48% and this can be anticipated as the main source of other challenges.

Youths cannot afford to own housing because the durable construction materials available in the country are costly. Again, there is a deficit of residential housings for the youths in the country since the construction materials are costly.

The solution will create employment opportunities for people at all stages of execution from plastic collection to selling of construction products. This will improve their income levels to sustain their basic needs.

Affordable durable construction materials will enable the construction of affordable residential facilities in urban areas to serve the increasing residential demands of the youth in urban centers

Our team conducted a survey where we mainly used scientific observation to understand the rate of plastic pollution within the communities. it was observed that in every 15 strides within the suburbs, at least 3-5 plastic bottles were randomly distributed within the area.

We interacted with some household individuals about the various ways they undertake to dispose plastic wastes. Research showed that most of the individual used burning to eliminate the plastics, a few of the individuals collected the plastics in bags "obukutiya" [lug.], to be collected by waste collection companies such as Nabugabo Up Deal Venture. few member were observed to practice backyard farming of vegetable crops using plastic wastes but these were also limited to buckets.

We made study visits to some of the recycling companies of Uganda for example Ecobrix, up cycle Uganda. They faced a challenge of collecting wastes that consisted of plastics and organic wastes, this made sorting difficult.

The above made us understand that people need a plastic-free environment.

But this meant dispose of plastics in an eco-friendly format. This intrigued us to think of recycling the wastes into durable plastics that will last for years, the Polybriks. The congestion in the suburbs was an indicator for people's demand for affordable residential housing.

This required production of construction materials that don't require sand, cement, lime in order to down play the expenditure that people usually have to consider before construction in Uganda.

We have accumulated enough required knowledge from our research, with engagement of various target users of the solution.

To date, we have validated the idea, and we are set to realize it provided that the key resources for the business are available to us.

The solution involves the use of 3D printing machines to manufacture the bricks, pavers, tiles ceiling among others. The bricks and pavers will have perfect dimensions with interlocking characteristics that shall enable binding of bricks.

The technology in this solution enables the construction of housing for example a bungalow without running into the costs of cement, sand, etc. used to make mortar for binding the bricks together most especially when partitioning the rooms, let say; dining room, bedrooms, kitchen room, among others. This makes the construction of one’s house affordable.      (sand-less and cement-less strong walls)

This shall limit wastage of resources and also minimize the wastes from the construction industry

The technology ensures the completion of a building in the shortest time possible compared to the local earth bricks. 

The solution involves the use of Global Position System (GPS) trackers which will be placed on plastic collection bins available in the communities. These will provide more relevant information on the places that have more plastic waste disposal so that they can be collected. In Kampala and Uganda at large, the collection centers flood with wastes because of the delay in collecting the wastes.

The solution is projected to impact 4.5 million people in Uganda in the next year. This includes people that will directly get employment opportunities from the solution implementation, potential buyers of the products and the beneficiaries of the services attached such as plastic-free community, environmental education among others.

To Create proper plastic waste collection schemes.

To Produce construction materials that will construct at least 200 bungalow buildings

To Create 500 jobs

To Create proper plastic waste collection schemes.

Here, monitored plastic waste bins will be placed in strategic points within the community for the people to dispose of their plastics. Mass communication via local media platforms such as televisions, radios, and newspapers. This shall aim at increasing awareness among the citizens about plastics & climate change, and how to utilize the bins.

Ensuring regular removal of disposed of plastic wastes from the bins to avoid plastic waste flooding at the areas of the collection.

To Create over 500 jobs & employment opportunities.

These jobs & opportunities will be available to community people in plastic collection, sorting, machine maintenance, model designing, architects, engineers, consultants, marketing, and other sectors.

To Produce materials that will construct at least 200 bungalow buildings

Here, we shall formulate sustainable plastic waste collection methods to ensure a steady supply of the plastic as raw materials for production.

Partnering with stakeholders.

By ranking the individual's attitudes and behavior towards proper plastic disposal practices before and during the progress off the solution.

We shall evaluate the participation rates in keeping the community clean by the individuals and community leaders during the progress of the solution.

Number of awareness programmes conducted during marketing at media houses using the programme records.

Evaluating the number of employees contributing to the solution realization, and evaluating their net income during the progress.

By comparing the changes in people's standards of living especially those employed by the solution.

Number of buildings constructed with the solution products

Through analyzing and evaluating the number of target users retained. This shall indicate customer satisfaction levels.

Lack of capital to purchase advanced machinery, disposal bins, pay workers, required technology and other factors of production.

Limited authority to influence proper waste management policies in communities. It requires a lot of patience to change the people’s behavior and mindsets towards plastic waste management.

Limited space throughout the year of operation.

The team consists of members with advanced knowledge in conservation biology, business administration, and human resource management. They are residents of Kampala ever since their childhood. They have their background rooted in north, east, and central Uganda.

They have gained professional experiences through their internships in their respective industries. Part of the team members have been appreciated leaders in their universities and community club associations.

The team has the capability of recruiting individuals from the community as much as required including volunteers. 

We have required skills and discipline to establish and maintain healthy partnerships with desired target users of the solution, and we have designed a scheme of engaging target users in the solution activities.

The team has the capability of integrating professionals of various disciplines who contribute to the success of the solution.

The team, composed of young members of both gender below 24 is open to new knowledge and they are always willing to learn from others and experience in order to make corrections and improvement in solution implementation.

Our agenda for implementation of a successful solution include; courage, focus, agility, teamwork, determination, competency, efficiency, feedback, and improvement by the team.

None at the moment.

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