Building a greener future one eco-brick at a time

Before you throw that chips packet or sandwich bag away, save it to help make an eco-brick for a bigger purpose.

Partners for Possibility (PfP) and their participating school, North Coast Agricultural College, are calling on everyone to help them collect the clever “bricks” to improve their infrastructure.

An eco-brick is made by simply cutting plastic packaging up and stuffing it into a two-litre plastic bottle, and using it as a brick.

The contents are properly compacted by using a wooden spoon or dowel to compress it, and the bottle should weigh around 500g or more before it can be used as a brick.

Already, PfP business partner Maryne Maree has been co-ordinating an eco-brick collection from Umhlali Preparatory School and now Fine Young Cooks’ Lewaine von Allemann is jumping on board with the upcoming Ballito Pro Family Food Festival.

Von Allemann said she loves the idea of eco-bricks as they are not only an environmentally friendly way of building, but also a good habit to start.

“By collecting non-recyclables and plastic to fill the plastic two-litre bottles that become eco-bricks you teach children and raise awareness about how much we consume and would usually throw away.

“Encouraging children and families to recycle and look after the environment and ocean is key and this project is a great start to achieve this,” said Von Allemann.

Make sure to visit the festival and drop off your “bricks” at the eco-brick station in the food tent at Ballito Junction on July 1 and 2.

All of the bricks will go towards building a much-needed retaining wall and other buildings at North Coast Agricultural College. Besides the eco-bricks the school also needs sand or cement to fill up the gaps between the bottles to complete the building.

For more information or to get involved, contact Samantha Jooste from PfP at 082 990 3394.

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