project ecommonbrics

By applying local knowledge and expertise from different fields, the mission is to build roads and paths using small concrete bricks that capture trash elements. This will be “the end of the road” for trash!

This bioconstruction community project will create eco-bricks by mixing local trash elements with concrete to build sidewalks and roadways in places where this will benefit the communities and keep pollution out of the natural environment.

Pollution from trash and garbage is a high priority problem, and also a global emergency, presenting daily danger for animals and humans. We can revert a big part of this problem by reusing and integrating trash with concrete.
This will keep plastics from the garbage out of the oceans and waterways while being used to build helpful community infrastructure.

These “eco-bricks” offer pleasing green spaces on sidewalks and roads by allowing natural plants to grow through. By building new avenues for transportation and mobilization with this concept, it will help to boost tourism and the local economy in rural communities which otherwise receive little-to-no support for infrastructure improvements.

A lot of places in countries like Costa Rica do not have decent roads for walking, bikes, vehicles, etc; which in dry seasons affect the population with dust into the lungs, eyes and respiratory system, causing illness in some people.

During rainy seasons there are a lot of big holes with water, mud, which is dangerous to walk or drive side by side with vehicles.

These dirt roads are often in need of repair, but infrequently receive the care they need in order to be safe and healthy means of transportation.

We want to use bioconstruction techniques to build sidewalks, roads, streets, etc. to offer better health, safety and energy savings, while preserving the environment and caring for nature.

The Name: “ecommonbric”

Eco = the main goal of this project is to keep trash contains so it doesn’t litter the communities and environment (like so many plastics in the ocean)

Common = CommonGoods Network is working with us to help us fundraise for this project

Bric = the eco-brick concept is an inspiring bioconstruction technique that we are using to apply these concepts here in Costa Rica, with the hope that this information will be helpful to others who also want to do good in their communities and can apply what we learn as well.

The purpose of project ecommonbric it's about fixing two problems:

A: Solid Trash in touristic zones (plastic, cans, glass, etc)

B: Unsafe sidewalks, roads, and paths

By mixing concrete with solid trash, this project will increase safety for walking, driving with bikes or cars, and also will complement nature, boosting the tourist visits and the local economy.

The process can also be taught and shared with the community and others interested in applying these principles elsewhere.

This project will not only create new roadways in communities that depend on tourism by reusing trash from those places, but additionally this will be an open source process which can be taught so that anyone can continue to develop and use it.

Phase 1 may take approximately 5 weeks. This is the phase when we are doing research and testing to develop a prototype and plan for executing this project at a larger scale.

Phase 2 will be the implementation of the research and plan developed in Phase 1, which will be to create a path using the ecobricks in a community.

For Phase 2 we are going to collect data from Phase 1 in order to expand, move to the location and start building into the community of Montezuma/Cabuya.

PHASE 1: THE PLAN

• Create and experiment with the mix of cement, sand and the percentage of elements from trash, like plastic, glass, metal, etc; the goal is to find the right recipe and quantities to make the right ecobricks which will work here in Costa Rica.

• Every brick will be ready after 48 hours, then it must be tested to check the workability and test the quality, like strength, consistency, compaction, slump test, etc.

• We are going to make and build molds, to experiment with different shapes, which will work for different surfaces, range, and dimensions of spaces.

• Document data with all the information collected.

• Livestream and post updates through Social Media.

Contact Ricar Quesada if you have any questions or would like to be involved. Email him at [email protected] Whatsapp +506 70837098 or also you can DONATE through SINPE Movil (Costa Rica) 8833 2401

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