Recycled Plastic Blocks Transform Family Home in Costa Rica

Cindy Mora Abarca spent nine years saving money for a small plot of land in Alajuelita, near San José, Costa Rica. She finally secured the land through a loan, but lacked the funds to build a house on it.

A partnership between Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica, Procter & Gamble, Urbarium, and Ekojunto provided Mora with the means to construct her home using interlocking blocks made from recycled plastic waste.

The project used approximately 7 tons of recycled plastic, which was processed into Bloqueplas units that fit together like Lego. The walls of the house were constructed using these blocks, while conventional materials and methods were employed for the foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical wiring, doors, and windows.