Green innovation is the way out of the effects of Climate Change especially for developing countries. Clean energy, recycling and reduced carbon explorations have dominated the solutions so far with countries like UAE and Germany leading in these innovation.

Now, Nigeria can be added to that list too with an unprecedented innovation Nigerians are now building bulletproof, fireproof and eco-friendly homes using plastic bottles to address the shortage in meeting the housing needs of Nigeria?s ever-increasing population.

True Activist reports that "these colourful homes are bulletproof, fireproof, and can withstand earthquakes. They also maintain a comfortable temperature, produce zero carbon emissions, and are powered by solar and methane gas from recycled waste".

The initiative was the brain-child of two NGOs as it was founded by Kaduna-based NGO Development Association for Renewable Energies (DARE), with help from London-based NGO Africa Community Trust
The buildings, which are is completely powered by solar panels and methane gas from recycled human and animal waste, can be built up to three stories but not higher owing to the weight of the plastic bottles which are filled with sand.

According to True Activist, this how it works "To create a two-bedroom bottle house, workers fill plastic bottles with sand and then hold them together using mud and cement This forms a solid wall that is stronger than cinder blocks".

"That's not all: These colourful homes are bulletproof, fireproof and can withstand earthquakes. They can also hold a comfortable temperature year round".

"The buildings can be built to three stories, but no higher, due to the weight of the sand-filled bottles. And, of course, the magnificent diversity of plastic bottles give each house a unique and bright look".

"A two-bedroom house requires 14,000 bottles to complete. To put this into perspective, Nigeria throws away three million bottles every day. Clearly, there are plenty of bottles which can be repurposed to build every individual in their own abode".

I am so impressed with this great innovation that I can't wait to see these houses. This is a massive way to take plastics off the Nigeria streets. Indeed, Nigeria consumes a lot of bottled water and drinks daily most of which are made of plastic and the poor waste management system in the country makes recycling unpopular here. The waste of plastics have simply been too much and there can hardly be a better way to take a huge number of plastics off the street in one process.

The dangers posed by these non-biodegradable plastics are so much not just to humans but other animals especially birds and aquatic creatures. Researchers say that 99% of all birds on this planet will have plastic in their gut by the year 2050.

We need more of such innovations to keep our environment save. To these innovative Nigerians and supportive NGOs big congratulations! I am proud of this work.

Source: True Activist

Photo Credit: Andreas Froese/ECOTEC