Exploring Reusability
Comparing three methods to reuse discarded plastics looking at cost and community need.
In our interview with Sarah Levitt, we learned that the most common trash on the island is plastic. "Plastic wrappers (snacks, candy, etc), plastic bottles (water, juices, soda), plastic bags. I’ve also seen metals, batteries and pieces of glass, although plastic is the large majority".
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As a part of our project, we researched different options for reusing these plastics. Here we explore three promising options, focusing on affordability and community need.
Roofing and Construction Material
Sarah Levitt informed us that "a lot of roofs [in Kairo] are made of metal. I believe they are waterproof, although some houses may be rusted and possibly have leaks."
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Metal roofs can be problematic in terms of indoor lighting, poor insulation, and extremely loud rain noise. A possible solution to this problem that will also reuse discarded plastic bottles is thatched plastic roofing.
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The company PET Thatch has developed a low-tech, low-cost process to turn plastic bottles into roofing and construction material. These roofs are estimated to last 10-15 years. This process could improve the housing situations of those living in Kairo as well as provide a revenue stream if locals were to sell the materials.
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The WESA interview with the researchers who developed PET Thatch says that affordability for their consumers is the main focus, but it does not give a specific price point.
Build Greenhouses
In 2013, Planet Forward released a video showing Zanzibar's only greenhouse at the time. The use of a greenhouse increased this farmer's yield so much that he could begin selling at markets on top of feeding his family and community as he used to.
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Students across the United States have been experimenting with building functional greenhouses from used plastic water bottles. This process uses no expensive machinery, yet insulates the plants and increases yield just as a traditional greenhouse would.
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Materials that would need to be purchased include wood, nails, and garden stakes. Here are instructions on how to build a reused water bottle greenhouse.
Melt Plastics into Tourist Items
Tourism is the top income generator for the islands. Stone town is one of the biggest tourist areas with lots of local shops.
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The company Precious Plastic has designed build-it-yourself machines that shred and melt plastics into different molds. If locals had access to this machinery and knowledge, they could make cups, bowls, and trinkets that could be sold to tourists or tourist shops.
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There are two machines needed to recycle plastics in this fashion, the shredder machine and one of the following: extrusion, injection, or compression machine. Each machine costs between $1000 and $2000, a steep entry cost for this option. Further, the machines need electricity and maintenance, which would be hard to find in rural Zanzibar.