Support for UNICEF project Plastic Bricks

By building classrooms with bricks made from recycled plastic, UNICEF has achieved a scoop in Africa. This year, Van den Bosch is again supporting the innovative development project Plastic Bricks in The Ivory Coast.

One and a half million children cannot attend school in The Ivory Coast, simply because there are not enough classrooms. Supported by UNICEF, the Columbian organisation, Conceptos Plasticos processes plastic waste into bricks for the construction of classrooms in The Ivory Coast. No less than 130 tons of plastic waste were recycled and turned into bricks for schools in 2019 , which led to the construction of 26 Classrooms for 1300 children in The Ivory Coast. 

Addressing pollution and poverty
The Plastic Bricks project is not only a solution for classroom shortages, but also reduces pollution. Only five percent of all plastic is recycled in The Ivory Coast, as a result of which the country has become very polluted. Plastic Bricks also supports vulnerable mothers - by collecting plastic and selling it to the factory for a good price, they can help themselves to rise from poverty. In the future,  lavatories and storage for medical supplies will also be built using the plastic bricks. 

Promising project
CEO Rico Daandels of Van den Bosch leads and supports the decision to again become involved in project Plastic Bricks: “The massive increase in the amount of plastic waste is a global problem that we cannot ignore. In a unique and constructive way, UNICEF will help recycle plastic waste in the Plastic Bricks project to benefit local people in The Ivory Coast. It is a promising and innovative project that our organisation gladly supports.” 

Van den Bosch has had a strategic partnership with UNICEF Netherlands since 2011. For more information, please see: Van den Bosch - Sustainability.