Department of Architecture

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    Building from plastic waste: opportunities and limitations in Kenya
    (Kenyatta university, 2023) WANGECI, MARYAM; Franklin Mwango; Alfred Omenya
    Plastic is one of the most ubiquitous and versatile materials in the modern world. It has revolutionized many aspects of human life, from medicine and technology to fashion and entertainment. However, plastic also poses a serious environmental and social challenge, as it is mostly used for single-use products that are discarded after a short period of use. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste are generated and discarded, causing pollution, harming wildlife and affecting human health. One of the possible ways to address the plastic waste is to use it as a building material. Plastic waste can be transformed into various products, such as bricks, tiles, panels and blocks, that can be used for constructing houses and other structures. This approach has several benefits, such as reducing plastic pollution, saving energy and natural resources, creating employment and income opportunities, and providing cheap and resilient housing. However, there are also challenges and limitations, such as technical, economic, social, and environmental factors, that need to be considered and overcome. This thesis therefore aims to explore the feasibility and potential of building from plastic waste in Kenya, a country that faces the plastic waste crisis and to identify the best practices and recommendations for its implementation. A mixed-methods research design is used, combining literature review, case studies, interviews, surveys, and experiments, to collect and analyze data from various sources and perspectives. It is found that building from plastic waste is a viable and promising solution for Kenya, but it also requires careful planning, design, regulation, and monitoring, to ensure its quality, safety, performance, and acceptance. A framework and a roadmap for implementing and scaling up this solution in Kenya and other similar contexts is provided. The thesis contributes to the existing knowledge and practice of building from plastic waste, and offers insights and implications for policy makers, practitioners, researchers, and communities