DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARIÑAS

Dasmarinas, Cavite
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Engineering Department

A Proposed Topic for ESE Methods and Research:

Ecobricks: A Sustainable Alternative to Construction Materials

and Solid Waste Disposal Reduction

Submitted by:
Diaz, Jen Beatrice B.
Relanes, Hanna E.
Tayer, Kris Lorraine G.

Prospective Adviser:

Engr. Mark Bryan R. Fabon

Submitted to:
Engr. Mark Bryan R. Fabon
Head, Sanitary Engineering Program
Background of the Study

In the Philippines, approximately forty thousand tons per day of collected solid
waste is thrown in open and controlled dumpsites and sanitary landfills. As per National
Solid Waste Management Council (NSWMC), twenty-eight percent going to the landfills
are recyclables. The Philippines is facing a huge problem in terms of solid waste
disposal because of lack of sanitary landfills and controlled dumpsites and also, lack of
access to garbage collection.

This study will help put to good use majority of the recyclables to build houses,
institutions like evacuation centers and schools, and commercial spaces. There will also
be fewer raw materials necessary thus minimizing the extraction of these from the
environment. Raw material prices are skyrocketing because of the closure of many
mining sites and stricter permit issuances thus this prototype will aid in financial
constraints of construction companies and minimize construction-related costs.

The prototypes will be compared to the existing construction-related materials in

terms of strength and unit weight. It will also be compared to existing national
standards. The aim is to produce a prototype that will match the existing standards at a
lower cost while maximizing the use of recycled materials.

Objectives of the Study

The general objective of the study is to develop an eco-brick that can be a

sustainable alternative to construction materials such as hollow blocks and bricks.

The specific objectives of the study are

1. To develop an eco-brick that can match the quality of the construction materials such
as hollow blocks and clay bricks

2. To minimize the solid waste being dumped in the sanitary landfills by recycling
specific waste materials
3. To minimize consumption of raw materials extracted from the environment such as
sand and clay

4. To be able to produce a low cost construction material

Significance of the Study

This study will benefit the local government units, recycling and construction
companies and individuals. The local government units manage the sanitary landfills; by
reducing the amount of waste being dumped in the landfills, the projected life of the
sanitary landfills will lengthen. Recycling companies will benefit from this project
because there will be more demand for processed recycled materials thus increasing
the profits. The construction companies will have lower cost construction materials
readily available; also increasing the profits and minimized inconvenience concerning
procurement of raw materials. Individuals will take this as an opportunity to make extra
income from selling recyclables to recycling centers.

Scope and Limitation

This project covers recyclable materials such as plastic bottles, retail sachets and
junk food wrappers. The prototype will undergo compaction testing. Dry, wet and
saturated unit weight will also be tested and computed.

Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Sand, Cement Sand, recycled pellets,

shredded foil wrappers will
Recycled plastic Ecobricks that is
be mixed together.
pellets strong, light
Percent composition will be weight and cost
Shredded foil
increased/ decreased at effective.
wrappers
10% increments.
Methodological Framework

Sand, recycled The prototypes will be Prototypes that are

pellets and shredded compacted and dried equal or greater in
foil wrappers will be for 72 hours. quality in terms of
mixed together. strength will be
Samples will be
Percent composition considered as
weighed to test for dry,
will be increased/ passed. Cost of
wet and saturated unit
decreased at 10% materials will be
weights. Other samples
increments at three calculated to
will be subjected to
(3) samples per determine the
compaction testing.
increment. most cost effective
Hollow blocks filled
sample.
with Class A concrete
mix and ready-made
clay bricks will also be
tested for comparison.

Reference: Senate Economic Planning Office (2017). Philippines Solid Waste at a Glance, AG-17-01.
Retrieved August 26, 2019
from,https://www.senate.gov.ph/publications/SEPO/AAG_Philippine%20Solid%20Wastes_Nov2017.pdf