Endangered EcoBricks
Photo Credit: On File

The Two Oceans Aquarium and Waste-ED have teamed up to collect enough Eco-Bricks to help build a classroom in Lavender Hill.

 

An Eco-Brick is made up of a large 2l (coke shaped) plastic bottle which is packed full of un-recyclable material like sweet wrappers, straws and chip packets. This method represents a zero waste system and greatly reduces the waste ending up in landfills. The bricks are well-insulated and resistant to earthquakes.

Waste-ED has been using Eco-Bricks to build structures at schools for some time now. With it being Plastic Free July, the Two Oceans Aquarium is teaming up with Waste-ED and you for a competition like no other.

“By bringing in a fully stuffed eco-brick to the Aquarium this July, you will not only be helping Waste-ED build an outdoor classroom – from your ecobricks – at Levana Primary School in Lavender Hill, but you will also be entering yourself into a lucky draw to win an incredible prize worth R18 500!”

For a full break down of the prize, take a look here. It includes full memberships to the aquarium, rides up Table Mountain and the Cape Wheel, eco-friendly items and so much more.

“This is a six-month project that starts with collecting and making 1 000 eco-bricks – that’s where you come in! This will remove about 500kg of non-recyclable waste from landfill.”

Filling an Eco-Brick is really easy. Just put every bit of plastic that is non-recyclable into it. Here are some examples of things to put in your brick(s).

  • Straws
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Chip Packets
  • Plastic from Earbuds
  • Old Toothbrushes
  • Cellophane
  • Old Balloons
  • Polystyrene (cut it smaller before attempting to stuff the bottle)
  • Plastic Cutlery

Your Eco-Brick needs to weigh more than 500g and all the bits stuffed inside need to be cleaned and dry before being placed in the bottle.

How to stuff your eco-brick

  1. Identify materials that are not compostable or recyclable by your local recycling facility
  2. Clean any dirty items by using leftover dishwashing water and leave to dry
  3. Stuff your clean and dry materials into any size or shape plastic bottle
  4. Compress it as tightly as you can with a stick – NB, this is very important!
  5. Keep doing this until you’ve got a bottle that is as hard as a brick – we will be squeezing your eco-brick to make sure it’s properly packed! If we can squeeze it, we can’t accept it.
  6. Set yourself goals to phase out these items until you don’t need to use the eco-brick anymore!

So there you have it, you can now start making your own bricks at home which can boost education in South Africa and better the environment. Will you be taking part?


Sources: Two Oceans Aquarium
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About the Author

Tyler Leigh Vivier is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader and lover of tea.

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