Originally reported and written in February 2023, this story has been republished as part of our archival content.

India produces 3.5 million tonnes of plastic annually, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only led to a surge in plastic production from FMCG markets, e-commerce, and food-delivery services. Most of the uncollected plastic waste is dumped in landfills, clogging water bodies and polluting streets.

But a duo from Aurangabad has found a noteworthy use for the excess plastic waste. Friends Namita Kapale and Kalyani Bharmbe have built an eco-friendly house using 16,000 plastic water bottles.

Constructed in Sambhaji Nagar near Daulatabad, the house is situated on a field of nearly 4,000 square feet. Interestingly, the duo used cow dung, soil, plastic bottles, and 12-13 tonnes of non-recyclable plastic to construct the eco-friendly house.

In conversation with The Better India, they explain what inspired this feat.

Eco-bricks from plastic

In 2020, Namita and Kalyani completed their graduation in Fine Arts from the Government College of Art and Design at Aurangabad. Their quest to build an eco-friendly house started during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021, when they came across an activity implemented by Akshar School in Pamohi village of Guwahati, Assam. The school had filled empty plastic bottles with cement to make student seats.

“We came across a video by Akshar School and got the idea to create a ​​house out of plastic bottles,” 23-year-old Namita recalls, adding that they started collecting........

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