Portuguese 
Cindy Mora bought a lot after nearly a decade of saving, but she didn’t have the funds to build; the project brought together businesses and volunteers, transforming 7.5 tons of recycled plastic into her new home
After saving for nine years to buy a lot, Cindy Mora has taken a significant step toward her dream of living with her son in Alajuelita, Costa Rica. Lacking the money to build, she received a house made from recycled plastic, constructed with 850 blocks produced from approximately 7.5 tons of waste.
House Built from Recycled Plastic Emerged After Nine Years of Saving
Cindy lives in Alajuelita, a town near San José. For nine years, she saved a portion of her income until she could afford to buy a small lot where she planned to build a home for herself and her son.
But the purchase only solved part of her problem. After acquiring the land, Cindy realized that the remaining funds would not be enough to start building the house on her own.
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The project progressed through an initiative that gathered Habitat for Humanity, Procter & Gamble, Urbarium, and Ekojunto.
These organizations provided materials and mobilized people to participate directly in the construction.
In total, more than 800 hours of volunteer work were dedicated to the project. This solution allowed Cindy to remain close to her community while constructing her home right on the land she had acquired after nearly a decade of saving.
850 Blocks Utilized Approximately 7.5 Tons of Plastic Waste
The main highlight of the house is its walls. The construction used 850 Bliqueplas blocks made from around 7.5 tons of plastic waste that was given a new use.
The recycled materials included bottles, containers, bags, packaging, and other discarded items.
After processing, the waste was transformed into modules used similarly to conventional building blocks.
However, the house made of recycled plastic was not entirely built with repurposed materials. Foundations, the roof, electrical and plumbing systems, doors, windows, and finishes utilized conventional materials necessary for the structure.
Outwardly, the origin of the blocks is virtually undetectable. The walls were covered and painted, giving the property an appearance similar to that of a traditional residential building.
Project Combines Housing with Plastic Recycling
The initiative had two main goals: to provide adequate housing for Cindy’s family and to demonstrate a possibility for recycling plastic waste within the construction industry.
Before the family’s involvement, the organizations assessed their economic situation and the conditions of the lot. Following approval, volunteers from various fields were mobilized to execute the project.
The use of the blocks allowed for the repurposing of approximately 7.5 tons of plastic that could have ended up in landfills or the environment.
The case also showcased a practical application of processed waste within a real construction project, transforming discarded materials into part of the walls of a home intended for a family.
Experience Shows Another Use for Discarded Waste
The project does not represent a widespread change in the construction model for neighborhoods or homes in Costa Rica.
However, the experience has become part of initiatives seeking to integrate plastic waste into housing sector solutions.
For Cindy, the construction completed a stage that she couldn’t finance after purchasing the lot.
The effort of nine years to acquire the area was combined with over 800 hours of volunteer work and the recycling of tons of plastic.
This article was prepared based on information provided about the initiative by Habitat for Humanity, Procter & Gamble, Urbarium, and Ekojunto, with data, numbers, and information preserved as per the consulted material.
