One less plastic used is one less plastic thrown away...

In an ideal world, it might just be possible to achieve this.

Back in the real world, this prospect turns from possible, to probable. In fact, the original intention of plastic was to help people. However, due to overdependance on plastic, we have unleashed an unspeakable evil on the environment - pollution through plastic waste

Traditional ways of 'dealing' with plastic waste is through recycling. However, only a shockingly small amount of waste gets recycled - less than 1%. Without proper actions, these plastic waste will eventually accumulate in landfills, and also littered in the environment, such as the ocean.

Saving the environment, one Ecobrick at a time.

1.0 What is an Ecobrick?

Ecobricks are basically a plastic bottle stuffed with all kinds of plastic. The result? A concentrated mass of plastic, all of which are contained by yet more plastic in the form a bottle. 

1.1 How does Ecobricks relate to plastic pollution?

By concentrating most of our plastic waste in one place, it is possible to mitigate the waste generated, and hence reduce the pollution caused by them.

Ecobricks can be seen as Lego pieces, which can be assembled into anything you like!

1.2 Are Ecobricks useful?

Yes! Ecobricks are a reminiscent of our childhood toy - Lego! Stack them up, glue or tie them together, and voila! Your creation using Ecobricks stand just before you.

Ecobricks have been used as filler material or even decorations to build garden spaces, houses and furnitures. This is especially true for poorer communities which cannot afford fancy buildings or gardens!

The potential applications of Ecobricks are only limited by your imagination!

 

 

1.3 How are Ecobricks made?

Step 1: Collection
Collect empty plastic bottles, packaging, grocery bags, and other bits of unwanted plastic.

Step 2: Washing
Rinse all the plastic under flowing water. Be sure to get rid of all remaining liquids or food bits off the plastic! 

Step 3: Drying
Leave the plastic bits out to air dry for about a day. This should remove any moisture on the plastic.

Step 4: Shredding
Grab a pair of scissors and start cutting the plastic down into small pieces.

Step 5: Compacting
Start filling your plastic bottle with your shredded plastic bits. Now grab your stick and start compacting the plastic. 

Continue the compacting process by adding more and more plastic. You will eventually end up with a plastic bottle filled to the brim with plastic shreddings. Grab the cap and screw it on and voila, you have made your very own Ecobrick!

…now to make more to finish that garden bench you always wanted. Only 49 more to go… 

Sound tedious? You're right! Making an Ecobrick takes a lot of time. It took our team nearly 2 hours to make just 1 Ecobrick!

That is why we are aiming to construct a shredder and a compressor to aid in the process.

1.4 Project objectives:

1. We aim to create a shredder which can help to shred unrecyclable plastics into smaller pieces and to be inserted into waste plastic bottle to a set density.

2. We aim to create a compressor which can help to compress the smaller plastic materials that are stuffed in waste plastic bottle. 

1.5 Why do we need funding?

To build the shredder and compressor, we require Rm 1300 to purchase the materials and to modify them. Therefore, we require financial assistance from you! 

1.6 Budget list of shredder and compressor