Bhutan Ecological Society’s (BES) Product Innovation – UR (Useful Recycled) Bricks, is a modular construction product made from recyclable plastic waste, specifically designed for temporary and semi-permanent structures in Bhutan. This innovation addresses both environmental challenges posed by non-biodegradable plastic waste and infrastructural needs in Bhutan.
So, how was UR Bricks conceptualized?
When Tshering Lhamo was in college, she co-founded a transboundary initiative of students called Gross International Nature (GIN). Through their research, they found that Bhutan did not have adequate recycling facilities and capacity. In order to create concrete impact, Tshering and her team collaborated with a Dutch recycling company to learn and develop a marketable product called UR Bricks, a brick made entirely from recycled plastic that can be used in light-weight construction.
The production process of the UR bricks begins with the careful sourcing and preparation of recyclable plastic waste. This is followed by prototype fabrication that emphasizes design, strength, and usability, featuring interlocking mechanisms for easy assembly and structural stability. A crucial aspect is the rigorous testing protocol, involving both in-house and third-party testing, to ensure UR Bricks meet compressive strength, density, and safety standards mandated by the Bhutan Standards Bureau, as well as environmental compliance.
While Tshering and her team were successful in coming up with an innovation that will contribute to reducing plastic waste pollution in Bhutan, they faced a serious challenge.
“For the past 3 years we’ve been trying to bring UR bricks into the market, however we were never successful enough to build and establish a factory” – Tshering recalled.
GIN’s situation improved drastically thanks to BES’s support through the PLEASE project.
“Through the PLEASE project grant, we have built a recycling hub here at Jemina Industrial Estate, where we will be recycling the waste into UR bricks and PET pellets. These have never been manufactured or developed in our country before. We will be the first ones to ever bring them into the market in Bhutan.”
Tshering Lhamo
GIN has already found customers for their products too.
Tshering gave a few examples – “With the Bhutan Toilet Organization, we’ll be using UR bricks to build temporary toilet facilities during public and private events. We will also be working with architectural firms and engineers who are helping us develop ways where UR bricks can be used, ensuring it meets the guidelines of the Bhutan Green Construction.”
Additionally, through the PLEASE project, GIN together with BES is also creating awareness amongst the community on how to identify and segregate waste, and building data on the types and quantity of waste generated at a household level; data which has been severely lacking in Bhutan. The project envisions scaling up production, fostering wide market adoption, and expanding the use of UR Bricks across Bhutan, ultimately reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable construction solutions nationwide.
By transforming waste into UR Bricks, this initiative is not just building structures; it’s laying the foundation for a greener, more sustainable Bhutan.
