New Brunswick-based PLAEX Building Systems, Inc. has developed a modular construction block system made from over 90 percent recycled materials. The system uses interlocking blocks that look and function a lot like Lego. A series of interlocking panels go over top to give the structure a smooth, finished look.
The bricks reduce waste on two important fronts. First, the blocks will recycle plastic waste that would otherwise go to landfill. Second, this no cut, no mortar building system will vastly cut back on, if not eliminate, construction waste.
The plastic materials for this product come from New Brunswick’s gardening and farm supply industries. As the company explains, the agricultural industry relies on plastic for necessities like “bale wrap, greenhouse film, tubing and pipes, pesticide containers, grain bags, silage bags, twine, nursery containers and more,” but doesn’t have reliable ways to recycle that plastic when an item has reached the end of its useful life. PLAEX hopes it can save “50-80 percent of agricultural plastics” from landfills or incineration.
In addition to waste diversion and reduction, the blocks have a host of other advantages. The system is designed for quick assembly and is as simple as a DIY build could get. PLAEX says the blocks have a high thermal mass, and that their interlocking design “allows for a water and air tight construction.”
While the bricks will be approved for walls and outbuildings at first, the long-term vision is to have the system approved for residential building. They anticipate expanding their range to include insulated blocks that can integrate electrical and PV solar systems.
The CBC’s Rose Murphy reports that the bricks are currently undergoing testing for CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approval and should be ready to purchase by August of this year. Their website states that they’re looking for clients and suppliers for 2022.
please get in touch with me .i would like to build an eco lodge and farm using eco-bricks, thanks
Hi Rob,
Thanks for the comment! We’ve run the story, but if you were interested in using these bricks, your best bet would be to get in touch with the company directly.
Have a great day!
The editors
Hello Rob! We at PLAEX would love to get in touch with you to begin planning the exciting project you have in mind! Please reach out to me by email at matt @ plaex.ca and we can schedule a free consultation with one of our team members.
Cheers,
Matt
PLAEX Accounts Manager
Estimated price per block
Hello, This is new to me. I watch alot of news and if I read or watch something I might put my 2 cents in. The Govenor of Texas, USA Ted Abbott has approved a 1000 ft. heavy duty round balls connected together in the Rio Grande River to save lives coming into the USA from Mexico and to slow down people crossing, to get some kind of control of this situation and make the process of moving here more attainable and legal. It doesn’t matter who the President is or who’s running this country, the govt here doesn’t care. The Boarders are horrible, people are dying trying to cross that river.
The price of that 1000 ft of what looks like heavy duty plastic material is $1,000,000,000.00 [one million dollars]. Could it possibly cost less if recycled plastic were used in the making of this Plastic Ball Snake? Thank you
You mean borders? Or renters?
I am a home designer and would like to get more information on the product for use in accessory structures in Ontario.
Hello Mike! We at PLAEX would love to get in touch with you to begin how we may support your product needs! Please reach out to me by email at info@plaex.ca and we can schedule a free consultation with one of our team members.
I’m interested in buying product to build my home
Hello Odilon! We at PLAEX would love to get in touch with you to begin planning the exciting project you have in mind! Please reach out to me by email at info@plaex.ca and we can schedule a free consultation with one of our team members.
Would like more info and price
hello Matt, I would like to use your product to build a goat house here on my farm, I would be 7 foot tall on the inside, and a 20 foot by 12 foot on the outside please got in touch with me for pricing. thank you.
I’m interested in price , shipping price ,, R factor ! I can see by the demo I’ve seen , stronger, lighter and Dayton work with rather than cement blocks ! Would like to get as much info on them as possible!
I would like to know the price, R value, and shipping price. Would be using them for outbuildings. Thanks.
I am looking for ideas on building homes that will go up fast which will be located on treaty land. I will be doing humanitarian projects in a community a few hours north of Winnipeg. One of the biggest issues is the community isn’t able to keep up with the demand and only able to build 10 homes during the building season. I would like to see if this product would be a good fit. I would like to get more information so I can research and see if this would be a viable option. Thank you
What are the results of this type of material burning ,ie a house fire?
would like the price of all the pieces & sizes please & thank you
You can contact the company directly at info@plaex.ca for pricing.
can I get pricing and can I get these in southern Ontario?