Recycled Plastic Home

A construction and design company in Nova Scotia has come up with a building solution that addresses two of the world’s most pressing problems – excess waste and extreme weather. Their first project is a 2,000 square foot home – built from more than 600,000 recycled plastic bottles and clad with recycled aluminum siding – that can withstand hurricane force winds.

The startup partnered with a Belgian company that shreds and melts bottles which have been rejected by recycling plants to create a foam core. The foam is laminated to form six-inch thick insulated walls that are strong and lightweight. In certified tests, an eight foot panel was subjected to 326 mile per hour winds (the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane) without damage.

The panels are chemically bonded together, eliminating the need for framing and nails while making the whole structure more robust. Although the cost of construction is comparable to traditional construction, the prefab design saves time. In addition, over the life of the home, maintenance and energy costs are greatly reduced.

The technology is already receiving worldwide attention as a solution for disaster relief housing as well as cost-effective buildings in areas that are plagued by hurricanes, typhoons and other extreme weather conditions. The prototype house, which is situated on a beach in Nova Scotia, will be available for rent on Airbnb before being sold.