Eco Brick Connect
छोटे कदम, बड़ा परिणामः एकोब्रिक्स के साथ प्लास्टिक का परिवर्तन
Ecobricks can be made by the young, the old and everyone in between — no machines, special skills or experts required! However, there are important guidelines to follow to ensure the quality and usability of your ecobricks.
Be sure to start ecobricking right— this is a long-term life habit that you, your household and community are beginning. Likewise, your ecobricks will set the example for everyone around you. Sub-standard ecobricks will compromise the quality of furniture modules, constructions and the social spread of ecobricks while, well-done ecobricks can be put to good, safe use and will secure plastic for centuries. We’ve put this 10 step guide together to help you on your journey of making great ecobricks.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO MAKING AN ECOBRICK
1. Choose your bottle
Start by collecting clean and dry plastic bottles. Look for bottles with tight-fitting caps to prevent any leakage. Remove any labels or stickers from the bottles to ensure they won’t interfere with the ecobrick-making process.
2. Save, Segregate, Clean & Dry Plastics
Separate your plastic waste into different categories such as soft plastics (like plastic bags), hard plastics (like bottles and containers), and non-recyclable plastics (such as laminated wrappers).
3. Cut the plastic
To facilitate the process, cut the plastic waste into small pieces or shred it into smaller bits. This will make it easier to fit the plastic into the bottles later on.
4. Start filling the bottle
Ecobrickers like to call their packing stick, their magic wand. It makes the plastic disappear! Having the right stick will make a big difference to your ecobricking. Bamboo and wood make the best sticks. The size of the stick depends on the type of bottle you go with. You want a stick with a diameter roughly one third the width of a standard bottle opening– so about 6mm. You want your stick to be about twice the height of your bottle, with a slightly rounded tip. Avoid sharp cornered sticks as they can rupture your bottle– and yes, this means you have to start your ecobrick all over again!
5. Press the bottle with a stick
Fill the bottle with shredded plastic waste, insert the stick through the opening of the bottle and gently apply pressure, compacting the plastic tightly. This step helps to eliminate any air gaps and create a more solid ecobrick.
Be careful while using the stick to avoid any spills or damage to the bottle. Ensure that the stick is clean and free from any contaminants before using it for compression. Once you have pressed the plastic waste inside the bottle, proceed to the further steps to compact, weigh and seal the ecobrick.
6. Continue filling and compacting
Keep adding shredded plastic waste into the bottle, periodically compacting it down with the stick. Aim to fill the bottle as tightly as possible without bulging or distorting its shape. The more compacted the plastic, the better the final ecobrick will be.
7. Weigh the ecobrick
Once the bottle is completely filled, weigh it to ensure it meets the recommended weight requirements for ecobricks. This weight may vary depending on local guidelines, but a common goal is around 500 grams. Adjust the amount of plastic inside the bottle accordingly if it falls short of the desired weight.
Securely close the bottle with its cap, ensuring it is tightly sealed. This will prevent any potential leakage or spilling of the plastic waste. For extra security, you can reinforce the seal with tape to keep the bottle tightly shut.
8. Label the ecobrick
Using a permanent marker, label the ecobrick with the date, name, and any relevant information as conveyed by the eco brick connect community. Proper labeling helps to keep track of the ecobrick’s details and ensures it can be effectively used in the future.
9. Repeat the process
Continue the ecobrick-making process by repeating steps 4 to 9 with any remaining plastic waste you have. Making multiple ecobricks allows you to maximize the repurposing of plastic waste and further contribute to reducing its environmental impact. Remember to label each ecobrick with its respective details and store them properly until they are submitted to the eco brick connect community. By repeating the process, you can make a significant difference in minimizing plastic pollution and promoting sustainability. Keep up the great work!