In the Pacific Ocean, there is an area called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch which covers an area three times as big as France. Garbage from all Pacific countries converge in the middle of the sea. This includes the Philippines which ranks first as the country with the highest plastic waste emissions into the ocean per person each year. It also ranks as one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world being part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Several years ago, typhoon Yolanda, one of the worst typhoons recorded, ravaged several provinces.
Coming to the rescue, the Plastic Flamingo Plastic Recyclers converts plastic waste and through a process of collecting, sorting, and shredding, its facility recycles plastic waste into durable new products that are implemented in projects like decking, fencing, and outdoor furniture.
Plastic Flamingo is a French Filipino social enterprise that focuses on a mission to tackle marine plastic pollution through maximum social impact by hiring and training local forces from low income households. Plastic waste is converted into ecoboards and used to build transitional shelters in disaster affected areas.
Transitional Shelter Design
This shelter design is a recycled plastic framed structure on a grid of 4.8 meters x 3.6 meters. The stability is provided by the corner columns made from reinforced plastic posts tied together by horizontal planks at ground level. Secondary non-structural elements include posts, battens and boards made from plastic waste. The columns are embedded into concrete foundations that sit directly on the ground. The height of the elevation and the highest point of the ridge of the roof differs per site since it is dependent on numerous specifications like flood levels, local architecture and expertise. The roof structure shall be built with locally available materials like bamboo. The cladding is made with 10 mm recycled plastic boards painted with a slight overhang to provide some outdoor shade.
Why Buy a Shelter Kit
The shelter kit forms a starting base compiled of various construction materials made from plastic waste that are needed to build a shelter for a family of five. Part of this traditional approach is to make sure everyone is involved in the process. Local governments, organizations and above all local communities can sit down and draw out their plans based on the existing grid.
Local building techniques and specifics of the site like possible flood levels, wind and sun directions need to be incorporated to make sure the transitional shelter can eventually become a permanent shelter and loving home. With this starter kit, primary, essential and durable building materials are provided yet each home can have his own character that has been co-designed by each house owner.
This business endeavor is like killing two birds with one stone. Plastic waste is recycled into a building material which is used to build a transitional house for disaster victims. In addition, it uses local labor. Indeed, the mantra “Waste Less, Build More” shall echo far and beyond.
The Plastic Flamingo Inc.
Block 6, Building 2, Tepaurel Compound
Putatan, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila
Email : [email protected]
JP Ordoña (Manilakad) leads Manilakad Walks in Intramuros, Binondo, Quiapo and more. Let him guide you to several walking destinations in Manila. Manilakad (Jing Ordoña) can be reached on Facebook Messenger or through text at 0916-3597888 and Viber (George Ordona) at 0960-6975930.
