Africa Innovates Magazine - Flipbook - Page 66
IIMPROVED LIVELIHOODS
GHANA’S FIRST HOUSE
MADE FROM
PLASTIC WASTE
A Ghanaian entrepreneur, Nelson
Boateng founded Nelplast Gh to
address the growing problem of plastic
waste, to enable better management
and to lead the way in waste recycling.
Nelson Boateng recycles plastics into
concrete to build roads and houses.
Between 2015 and 2016 he built the
first house in Ghana made from plastic
waste. To build it, he used some 13,400
kilograms of plastic waste collected from
the country’s gutters and beaches.
Driven by the motivation to preserve
the environment, Nelson started a brickmaking center that turns plastic waste
into building blocks. These bricks, Nelson
explains, are not made with mortar and
have the ability to withstand earthquakes
or tremors. He says the plastic blocks
could also be used as foundation bricks in
flooded or salty areas.
"Plastics are not the problem, we as
humans are the problem for our improper
disposal of plastics after use. Replacing
plastics with paper is not the best solution
because humans will transfer the same
attitude towards paper use. The best
solution and way to go is rather a change
of attitude towards disposal of plastics."
Nelson Boateng,
Nelplast Gh CEO
66
SHOWCASING AFRICAN CLIMATE CHAMPIONS
