Plastic pollution has become one of the world's greatest environmental challenges. Every year, the world generates 250 million tonnes of plastic waste, more than 11 million tonnes of which ends up in the oceans. By 2040, this volume could triple, threatening hundreds of marine and terrestrial species. Faced with this scourge, innovative initiatives are emerging that offer solutions for recycling this waste in a useful way. It is against this backdrop that Eco Blocks & Tiles, a Kenyan start-up led by Kevin Mureithi Maina, is making a name for itself by producing eco-friendly roof tiles from recycled plastics. This young company offers a sustainable alternative in the construction sector while creating jobs for local young people.
Eco Blocks & Tiles : A new era for green construction
Eco Blocks & Tiles focuses on the production of building materials environmentally-friendly products, mainly tiles made from recycled plastics mixed with sand. These tiles stand out not only for their durability, but also for their low cost and ease of installation. Unlike traditional tiles, which require more expensive materials for installation, Eco Blocks tiles are lightweight, robust and can save up to 40 %.
The start-up's flagship product, Eco Tiles, combines innovation and efficiency. The manufacturing process transforms plastic waste into solid building materials, which not only reduces plastic pollution, but also offers builders an aesthetic and sustainable solution. These tiles are lighter than clay or concrete tiles, and require less wood for the framework. This reduces construction costs. Their strength and lifespan, estimated at 50 years, make them a sustainable option for builders.
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An innovative manufacturing process for an exceptional product
The production process for eco-friendly tiles begins with the collection of various plastics, including high-density polymers and polyethylene. These materials are melted and mixed in an extrusion machine, then combined with building sand to improve their strength. The resulting composite paste is poured into moulds and pressed using a 400-tonne press. Unlike traditional tiles, which require a firing process that generates carbon emissions, Eco Blocks tiles are manufactured in one minute, with no harmful emissions, making the process both fast and environmentally friendly.
This innovation enables the start-up to produce up to 1,500 tiles a day, each with improved UV and weather resistance thanks to the addition of stabilisers.
These eco-friendly tiles also stand out for their lightness, weighing just 2.5 kg compared with 5 kg for traditional tiles, making them easier to install and reducing the associated costs.
A valuable contribution to the circular economy, local employability and the climate
By recycling plastics into sustainable building materials, Eco Blocks & Tiles is playing an active role in reducing plastic waste while helping to combat climate change. By reusing plastics that would otherwise have contributed to environmental pollution, the company is supporting the circular economy in Kenya. This approach creates green jobs while meeting the needs of the construction sector. It's a win-win solution for the environment and the local economy.
Furthermore, with the adoption of eco-friendly products still in its infancy in many developing countries, Kevin and his team have had to rely on word-of-mouth and testimonials from satisfied customers to expand their customer base.
This perseverance eventually paid off. Today, this innovative company produces 15,000 tiles a month. It works with a team of 500 waste pickers to collect different types of plastic. This business model not only supports the local economy, but also helps to preserve the environment. To date, more than half a million of these tiles have been used to build 348 houses in Kenya.
Eco Blocks & Tiles embodies African innovation at the service of sustainable development. By transforming plastic waste into solid building materials, the Kenyan company is playing a key role in the fight against pollution and climate change. A finalist in the African Engineering Innovation Awards, this start-up has proved that ecological solutions can not only protect our planet, but also generate economic benefits. As demand for environmentally-friendly building materials increases, the company is set to play a leading role in this fast-growing sector.
