Semarang, January 4, 2025 – As the world’s largest archipelago with an extensive coastline, Indonesia faces a serious challenge from plastic waste, particularly in coastal areas. Plastic pollution not only damages marine ecosystems but also threatens marine life and compromises human health. This crisis has gained global attention, as unmanaged plastic waste continues to pollute the environment, endanger biodiversity, and worsen the impacts of climate change.
In response to this environmental challenge, Seasoldier Semarang, in collaboration with Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang (UNIMUS), carried out an innovative project that turned plastic waste into ecobricks. This eco-friendly initiative not only helps reduce plastic waste but also creates practical benefits for communities, offering a real step towards environmental sustainability.
What Is an Ecobrick? And Why Ecobrick?
Ecobrick, also known as eco-bricks, eco bricks, ecolladrillos, or bottle bricks, is a simple yet effective method of managing used plastic. The process involves tightly packing clean and dry plastic into PET bottles (Polyethylene Terephthalate) to prevent plastic from polluting the environment or entering energy-intensive recycling processes that generate high carbon emissions.
Ecobricks are made manually by filling bottles with plastic until they reach a certain density. Properly compacted ecobricks typically have a density between 0.33 g/ml and 0.7 g/ml, making them strong enough to withstand the weight of an adult without deforming. Through this method, plastic is safely stored, kept from degrading into toxins or microplastics, and repurposed into a long-lasting, sustainable building material.
More than just a waste management solution, ecobricking raises awareness about plastic pollution and encourages people to adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Plastic should not be seen as waste, but as a valuable material that can be reused. By turning it into ecobricks, we reduce dependence on inefficient industrial recycling and help cut CO₂ emissions from plastic incineration.
Ecobricks also bring practical benefits for households and communities. They can be used to build furniture or small-scale construction projects, making them an affordable, accessible, and sustainable alternative that supports a cleaner and healthier environment.
SEASOLDIER Semarang & UNIMUS Collaboration
On January 4, 2025, SEASOLDIER Semarang and UNIMUS joined forces not only to produce ecobricks but also to conduct education and outreach programs on the importance of plastic waste management. Through a community service initiative, they sought to raise awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution and to engage residents in the ecobricking movement.
The event took place at a mangrove farmer’s house in Mangunharjo, Semarang, and was attended by around 10 residents and 25 university students. The primary objective was to enhance public understanding of plastic waste management and develop practical solutions to diminish its negative impact on the environment.
Benefits of Ecobricks for Communities and the Environment
Ecobricks offer a wide range of environmental and social benefits, including:
- Reducing Plastic Waste
By turning plastic into ecobricks, the amount of waste ending up in landfills can be significantly reduced, helping minimize plastic pollution in rivers and oceans. - Eco-Friendly Building Material
Ecobricks can be used for various construction needs, reducing reliance on conventional building materials that often have a larger environmental footprint. - Community Empowerment
Ecobricking opens up new economic opportunities for individuals and communities while providing hands-on environmental education, particularly for students involved in the project. - Raising Awareness
The collaboration between SEASOLDIER Semarang and UNIMUS plays a vital role in spreading knowledge about plastic pollution and promoting practical solutions like ecobricks.
A Step Towards a Cleaner and Sustainable Future
This collaboration highlights how small actions can bring about significant changes. By turning plastic waste into ecobricks, what was once seen as an environmental problem can be transformed into a valuable solution. The partnership between communities, environmental groups, and academia shows that collective action can make a real difference in protecting the environment.
With continuous efforts, wider participation, and stronger awareness, initiatives like ecobricks can help build a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for generations to come.
Documentation: SEASOLDIER Team
Author: Novi Wiji Lestari
Editor: Diyah Deviyanti
References:
- Ecobricks.org; Alliance, Global Ecobrick. “What is an ecobrick?”. Ecobricks.org (in English). Accessed on February 5, 2025.
- “Why Make Ecobricks?”. Ecobricks.org (in English). Accessed on February 5, 2025.
- “10 Step Guide to Making an Ecobrick”. Ecobricks.org (in English). Accessed on February 5, 2025.