BUILDING WITH WASTE: INTERLOCKING BRICKS MADE FROM WASTE PLASTIC

interlocking brown blocks interlock with each other black text with white background and white nup logo

Single use plastics now have a new, lasting and meaningful purpose. They can be used to build houses at a cheaper cost. Architects are Conscious Design have invented an interlocking bricks system. The Dutch architectural firm co-founder Frans Taminiau and Rushabh Chheda designed building blocks that can be stacked in a number of ways. This material was used in a housing project in Mexico. The project won the Clean Energy Challenge.

A 55 square meter house can be completely constructed by a family of four adults within 3 weeks, while also recycling 2-3 tons of plastic waste. This project directly tackles 3 of the 17 UN Development Goals.

This material is made of a combination of single use plastics mixed with eco-friendly industrial waste. By using these blocks, construction costs are reduces by 60% from savings made by the material itself and from labor. Interlocking designs make it easy to build with and requiring less manpower to do so.

These Lego-like blocks also are 3x more insulating than clay blocks especially in warmer countries like their project in Mexico.The same principle can also be used in building sidewalk pavers, interlocking posts, fences and other construction materials.

This self-built affordable housing material can pave the way for a better way of construction, in a less labor intensive manner and the biggest cherry on top is the reduction of plastic waste out there in our earth. This is the great power of creativity and purpose combined in a innovative solution.

Waste plastic can be seen everywhere and oftentimes in abundance. you can get them for free. In developing countries, being able to build homes cheaper than usual will allow more people to have the basic need of shelter. How can we help? Let's segregate our plastics properly so clean waste plastic can be converted to other materials more effectively.

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For our new years resolution we as a family wanted to use less plastic. I chose the Nup toothbrushes together with my 10 year old daughter and she absolutely loves the designs! Great quality and great design!

Linda Grootberg, Nup Customer

I normally have medium bristles so I was a bit skeptical if this toothbrush would clean my teeth properly. Luckily they do a very good job. Will continue to buy here.

Boris Stein, Nup Customer

Love these!!! I bought Bamboo toothbrushes before from other brands but they look so boring. If I am going to help the earth I might as well do it with a fun design on the product!

Miranda Cheung, Nup Customer

I bought a couple for my whole family. What's great about it is each pack has 4 different designs so each of us (family of 4) tell who owns which. This month indicator is a great plus.

Faith Manuel, Nup Customer

Happy with it. First of all, I I would choose these toothbrushes even if sustainability was not a factor. I was really wasn't sure if I was going to like these, but wanted to check them out, because I'm step-by-step working on reducing my trash impact on the world in every way I can, small and large. Now I'm happy to report that I love the way these feel in my hand and in my mouth. The contour of the bristles is effective in getting good surface contact, and they are just the right balance between firm and gentle. I'm not sure what the bristles are made of, but at least my plastic trash has been reduced in a great way.

Louise Zimmerman, Nup Customer

These toothbrushes are fabulous! I can't speak highly enough about them. Perfect adult size tooth brush ... not too stiff not too soft. The handle fits nicely in your hands. So much nicer than plastic! I highly recommend

Jordan Rhodes, Nup Customer

Quality is good. I am buying this for our whole family! This is will be a life changing moment for us.

Edwin Alexander, Nup Customer

I was looking for an environmentally friendly toothbrush for a while. Although, I was afraid that the bristles would be too soft (which most of the bamboo toothbrushes are), but this one was great!! It was much more sturdy than I expected and I LOVE it. It comes with four toothbrushes so I gave one to my brother and hopefully I can convince my other family members to make the switch.

Haley Fuller, Nup Customer

I have been making an effort to be better not only to my body (using less chemicals, more organic, more natural) and also to the environment. When I realized even my toothbrushes can stick around far past their use causing more waste, I wanted to try something better. I found these toothbrushes and, with this one single purchase, have not only done something small to save the planet (hey, every little bit counts, right?) but also have toothbrushes for a solid year. These are great because they have these nice designs- and using one brush for three months each gets me through the year. I think all of my family is about to switch to these! They're great and I'm very happy to be doing my small part.

Opal Waters, Nup Customer

My entire family of 4 has been using these for about a month and I haven't had one complaint, and as anyone with kids and a husband knows, that means A LOT! Getting used to a wooden handle versus a plastic one takes a little getting used to, but the bamboo is of a high quality and it is not at all abrasive and over all, it is relatively smooth. It's not like you feel as if you are going to get splinters in your moth or that it is going to eventually break in half! My youngest is a toothbrush chewer abuses all of her toothbrushes horribly and this one held up great! I was also really impressed with the bristles. I was expecting them to be pretty tough but they were just the right texture to feel like they were really getting the job done but not hurting the gums at all.

Krista Reeves, Nup Customer