The Philippines is home to some of the most beautiful islands and the clearest waters in the world. In fact, the country’s last frontier Palawan was hailed once again “the world’s best island” by Travel + Leisure magazine, the same spot it filled last year and in 2013. But with this incredible recognition of the country’s marine and coastal resources comes a disturbing fact: the Philippines is also the 3rd biggest source of plastic waste in the oceans.
It is a major problem that needs to be tacked at large. But that doesn’t mean there are no easy, simple steps to help solve this. Enter The Plastic Solution. It is a movement of reducing plastic waste by creating “eco-bricks,” recycled plastic bottles stuffed with non-biodegradable waste to become an alternative building material.
Here are the steps to creating an eco-brick:
These eco-bricks can now then be piled up or used as fillers for building structures such as walls, fences, and benches. And these smaller structures can then be further built into actual homes, classrooms, and even a forest nursery!
The Plastic Solution was founded by Ziggie Gonzalez, who is also a co-founder of the Circle Hostel group. Part of the walls surrounding the Circle Hostel in Zambales have already used eco-bricks and have sparked a growing community of concerned citizens, beach lovers, and environmental warriors who want to create big changes through little yet impactful actions.
Z Hostel is a proud supporter of The Plastic Solution. Come by the hostel anytime to drop-off your eco-bricks and we’ll be more than glad to take them to the building sites. Happy stuffing!
Photo credits: The Plastic Solution Facebook Page