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The Ecobrick deposit system
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Waste is valuable and usable!
The ‘plastic-brick’
In 2018 we introduced a deposit system in Bukit Lawang helping the people, the environment, and the animals.
Firstly, the locals collect the waste, then clean it and then finally stuff the plastic waste into a large plastic bottle using a stick. This means the bottles will be hard and weigh half a kilogram. Finally, these so-called ‘Ecobricks’ are exchanged for 5000 IDR (Indonesian rupiah). For the locals, this means a big, hot meal, roughly costing 30 cents.
Thanks to this system, the plastic-waste is isolated from the environment. No harm can come from this and the Ecobricks will be used to build walls, benches, and tables.
David Heitmann, our civil engineer, has developed a sustainable construction concept together with Münster University and the Koblenz University of Applied Sciences. Over 250 tons of plastic waste should be removed from the environment and be isolated in the walls!
The rainforests and rivers will be cleaned, whilst the locals can generate an additional income for themselves and their families.