Plastic Waste Turned into Paving Blocks, Supporting Waste Reduction Targets

Piles of plastic waste that have long been difficult to recycle, known as rejected plastic waste, now have economic value. Through recycling innovation, the waste is processed into environmentally friendly paving blocks.

The plastic waste used comes from partnerships with various waste management partners as well as deliveries from the public. Waste that previously risked ending up in final disposal sites (TPA) is now utilised as raw material for construction products that have commercial value.

A Rebrick project assistant said that utilising rejected plastic waste to make paving blocks is one solution to help reduce the accumulation of plastic waste that is difficult to recycle using conventional methods.

In the production process, every one square metre of paving block can absorb around 2.5 kilograms of rejected plastic waste. To produce that area, around 44 paving blocks are needed.

According to him, the more paving blocks produced, the greater the volume of plastic waste that can be diverted from landfill. This innovation is expected to become part of efforts to promote a circular economy while reducing environmental pollution caused by plastic waste.

In addition to providing environmental benefits, the recycled paving block product also has commercial value. Rebrick markets the product at a price range of Rp150,000 to Rp200,000 per square metre.