Children turn plastic waste into bricks

Students of Government Lower Primary School in Mulluru have learnt something new this summer vacation.

It has not only has improved their scientific thinking but also has helped in reducing plastic waste at the source.

Under the guidance of state award-winning teacher C S Satish of the school, the children prepare bricks from plastic waste in the school.

During the summer camp held at the school, C S Satish came up with a model which presses the plastic waste into bricks, with the help of resource person Madhu Kumar. The handmade machine is eco-friendly, he said.

Satish got inspiration for the solar-powered moulding machine from the working model of convex lens.

While explaining the lesson to the children, it struck him that a similar model could be built upon the same theory, he said.

The set up comprises of an iron box which makes use of solar power or electricity and acts as a moulder. The plastic waste placed in the box gets heated and turns into liquid form and moulds into the shape of the box. A convex lens is used to concentrate the sun rays to produce heat. If the plastic waste is burnt in open space, toxic fumes will be released into the atmosphere, causing pollution. Therefore, it is important that the plastic waste is heated in a closed container, to avoid direct contact with air. No fire is generated while heating the plastic in the closed box.

The model can be upgraded to produce bricks with more density. Such bricks can be used for construction works. However, regular mortar cannot be used with plastic bricks. Adhesive could be used instead. The plastic interlocks could be used as an alternative to cement interlocks, said Satish.

“Waste management has become a challenge these days. If the waste is not segregated at source, it will turn out to be a huge headache later. Converting one form of waste to a useful form will be an easier solution.” he added.