Rundu inaugurates first building made from recycled material
Rundu-based Wapa-Nawa Recycling Centre, a start-up project aimed at collecting plastic waste and converting it into valuable products, such as bricks and pavers, recently inaugurated Nambia's first office building constructed from bricks made from recycled plastic to demonstrate their durability and strength.
Wapa-Nawa produces interlocks, pavers and stepping stones from recycled plastic and sand.
According to Wapa-Nawa’s chief executive officer, Ladislaus Shikerete, the bricks used for the office building are easy to install as they are held together with a normal cement mixture and can be plastered like traditional bricks.
“The process of making these bricks is pretty straightforward. It does not require any water. What happens is that plastic waste, such as bottles and grocery bags, is collected and cut up into small pieces. Sand is added to create a strong fire-retardant material. The shredded plastic is heated until it melts, and then the plastic is poured into a mould and compacted,” Shikerete explained, adding that the bricks are “lightweight, strong and durable. They hold up well withstanding traffic and sun exposure.”
He added: "In addition to our own observations over multiple years, engineers have tested and certified that our bricks hold up to weight and water submersion as well as regular bricks."
Building on a vision
Wapa-Nawa's goal is to set a positive example by turning waste into profitable products and cleaning the environment at the same time, he said.
"We are employing and teaching valuable skills to the local community members through school and university workshops and community events. The vision is to have a local recycling centre in every Namibian city,” Shikerete said.
Despite Wapa-Nawa being a positive initiative, Shikerete said the project has faced numerous challenges since its inception.
“We are facing challenges such as a lack of transport to deliver and move the bricks. We are also faced with a lack of funding to pay the people who collect the plastic for us,” he said.
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Wapa-Nawa produces interlocks, pavers and stepping stones from recycled plastic and sand.
According to Wapa-Nawa’s chief executive officer, Ladislaus Shikerete, the bricks used for the office building are easy to install as they are held together with a normal cement mixture and can be plastered like traditional bricks.
“The process of making these bricks is pretty straightforward. It does not require any water. What happens is that plastic waste, such as bottles and grocery bags, is collected and cut up into small pieces. Sand is added to create a strong fire-retardant material. The shredded plastic is heated until it melts, and then the plastic is poured into a mould and compacted,” Shikerete explained, adding that the bricks are “lightweight, strong and durable. They hold up well withstanding traffic and sun exposure.”
He added: "In addition to our own observations over multiple years, engineers have tested and certified that our bricks hold up to weight and water submersion as well as regular bricks."
Building on a vision
Wapa-Nawa's goal is to set a positive example by turning waste into profitable products and cleaning the environment at the same time, he said.
"We are employing and teaching valuable skills to the local community members through school and university workshops and community events. The vision is to have a local recycling centre in every Namibian city,” Shikerete said.
Despite Wapa-Nawa being a positive initiative, Shikerete said the project has faced numerous challenges since its inception.
“We are facing challenges such as a lack of transport to deliver and move the bricks. We are also faced with a lack of funding to pay the people who collect the plastic for us,” he said.
- [email protected]
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