Final-year Polymer and Textile Engineering students at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) have developed construction blocks made from waste materials.
The students came up with idea with an aim of providing Malawi’s building sector with blocks that are more affordable, durable, and environmentally friendly than traditional fired bricks.
The innovation, developed by David Jere, John Magaleta, Madalitso Chitawo, and William Silungwe uses waste products such as shredded plastic waste, textile offcuts, sand and polymer binder.
The raw materials are then mixed to form a block which is durable.
Team leader David Jere says the composite blocks were designed to last longer under local conditions.
“The blocks are designed to be stronger, more durable, and more water-resistant than ordinary fired bricks currently used in most communities,” Jere explained.
Jere said while the exact formula is proprietary, the blocks fall under the polymer-textile composite category.
“We are in the process of going commercial and such we can’t reveal the exact formula,” said Jere.
The students say the innovation addresses both housing and waste management.
“We are turning waste into value because this approach gives us an environmentally friendly solution to waste management while creating room for community-based production and youth employment.” he added.
The innovation has not gone unnoticed as it has already won the Best Project Award for Polymer and Textile Engineering at the MUST Engineering Symposium.
The students are now preparing to scale the project with plans already underway to seek partnerships with various construction companies.
Environmental expert Maloto Chimkombelo has hailed the innovation, describing it as futuristic
