How to Make an Ecobrick

Summary

In this engaging tutorial, GEA Trainer Ani Himawati demonstrates how to create ecobricks, a sustainable solution for plastic waste. The video guides viewers through the entire process, from gathering materials like clean plastic bottles and waste to compressing soft and hard plastics with a stick. Key steps include ensuring the ecobrick reaches the required weight, leaving space at the top to prevent bursting, and logging the ecobrick details on GoBrik.com. The video emphasizes the importance of careful packing, weighing, and proper documentation to contribute effectively to reducing plastic waste.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ecobricks are made by packing plastic waste into clean, sturdy plastic bottles to create a reusable building material.
• 😀 A strong, long stick is essential for compacting the plastic into the bottle tightly and efficiently.
• 😀 It's important to use a mix of soft and hard plastics for an effective ecobrick, with soft plastics filling the corners and hard plastics providing structural integrity.
• 😀 Soft plastics like sachets and wrappers help to compress harder plastics, making the overall packing process easier.
• 😀 The key to compacting the plastic properly is to push down around the circumference of the bottle and look for gaps to fill.
• 😀 The ecobrick must reach a minimum weight and density to be effective. For a 600ml bottle, the minimum weight is 200g.
• 😀 Don’t overfill the ecobrick; leave a 1-2 cm gap at the top to avoid bursting and damaging the bottle over time.
• 😀 After completing the ecobrick, it’s crucial to weigh it and log the details, such as weight, bottom color, and date, on the GoBrik web app.
• 😀 Each ecobrick gets a unique serial number, which should be written on the ecobrick and included in the log entry.
• 😀 The ecobrick must be photographed clearly to ensure that the serial number, bottom color, and clean plastic are visible for validation.

Q & A

What is the minimum weight required for a 600ml ecobrick?

The minimum weight required for a 600ml ecobrick is 200g.

Why is soft plastic preferred for the bottom layer of the ecobrick?

Soft plastic is preferred for the bottom layer because it helps fill in the corners, making the base solid and stable.

What should you do if your ecobrick becomes too full?

If the ecobrick becomes too full, it may burst and break its cap over time. It is important to leave about 1-2 cm from the top.

How can you ensure the hard plastics are properly compacted inside the ecobrick?

To ensure proper compaction of hard plastics, use a stick to press down the plastics, moving around the circumference and focusing on filling any gaps with soft plastic.

What is the purpose of weighing the ecobrick during the process?

Weighing the ecobrick ensures that it reaches the minimum required density, which is important for its structural integrity and effectiveness.

What types of plastics are used in making an ecobrick?

Both soft plastics (e.g., bags, wrappers) and hard plastics (e.g., sachets, wrappers) are used in making ecobricks. Soft plastics help compress the harder plastics.

Why should the ecobrick be logged on the GoBrik.com web app?

Logging the ecobrick on the GoBrik app helps track important details such as weight, bottom color, and brand, and generates a unique serial number for the ecobrick.

How should the ecobrick be photographed for logging?

The ecobrick should be photographed in a way that clearly shows the serial number, bottom color, and clean plastic to ensure proper documentation and validation.

What happens after the ecobrick is successfully logged in the app?

After the ecobrick is logged, the app displays the message: 'Success! Your Ecobrick is Logged. The Earth Thanks You.'

What is the importance of using a permanent marker when making an ecobrick?

A permanent marker is used to write the weight, name, and date on the ecobrick to ensure it is properly labeled for tracking and identification.