Making eco-bricks step-by-step
1. Segregate clean and dry plastics
2. Choose your bottle
Consider 3 factors;
Availability: choose the bottle that everyone can easily come by
Volume: small volume bottles are recommended for first-timers!
Your project: consider the size of bottle that will perfectly suit your construction
3. Get your stick ready;
Bamboo and wood make the best
The size of the stick is about 1/3 the width of standard bottle opening
Avoid sharp cornered sticks
4. NO! Glass, metal or biodegradables
5. Start by adding bottom colour
Choose a soft plastic with a solid colour
6. Pack the bottle tight, mixing plastic
Cut or rip up large plastic waste into smaller pieces
The smaller the denser!
Use your stick to push down
Mix soft and hard plastic to maximize the density
7. Weigh your ecobrick to ensure quality
Minimum weight; bottle’s volume x 0.33
Maximum density; 0.7 g/ml
Low density eco bricks are fire hazards because of the air pockets remaining inside
8. Cap and lock
Besure the ecobrick is not overflowing packed
Should be about 1-2 cm between the cap and the plastic inside
The cap is made of different type of plastic than the bottle and is the weakest part
Besure to avoid flip-tops or sports caps when sealing
Once capped, record your ecobricks!
The ecobriker’s name
The final weigh
Date and year
The intended project
Serial number (generated by GoBrik App)
9. Inscribe
Record the data on the ecobrick itself
Avoid using paper labels, tape, or stickers
Avoid using permanent marker
Use either nail polish or enamel/oil paint
10. Store your eco bricks
Store indoor, away from the sun
If possible protect with cloth or tarp
Stack horizontally with the end point outward
11. Build!
Make Milstein modules for horizontal construction
Make Dieleman Lego modules for vertical construction