Gofrixty [29 August 2025] – Kenya is upcycling its plastic waste into a powerful weapon against waste, housing. Entrepreneurs in Nairobi are using waste plastic to make construction bricks that are being used as a cheaper reinforcement for concrete. This imaginative solution takes on two major problems in the country: plastic pollution and a housing shortage.
This pioneering project is being run by Gjenge Makers, a startup launched by materials engineer Nzambi Matee. The company gathers waste plastics that often can’t be recycled, like food packaging, shampoo bottles and containers. Workers shred the plastic and mix it with sand before compressing it under high heat to create solid bricks. The end result is hard, waterproof, and long-wearing.
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These plastic bricks are known to have several advantages. They cost up to 30 percent less than concrete, making them a tempting choice for builders. Tests suggest that the bricks are seven times stronger than concrete, so it can withstand even heavy loads without cracking. As such, the bricks are sustainable and inexpensive enough to be used in homes, schools and roads.
