How I Built 15 Bulletproof Houses Using Plastic Bottles – Kaduna Engineer
Yahaya Ahmed, Director of the Developmental Association of Renewable Energies, speaks with BIODUN BUSARI about the challenges and successes in building sustainable, bulletproof structures from plastic bottles in Nigeria.
How was your experience constructing the first house using 14,800 sand-filled plastic bottles?
Back then, sourcing bottles was relatively easy—they littered the environment. We recruited unemployed youths from the streets, encouraging them to collect bottles for us. It was a practical and mutually beneficial solution.
Where did you acquire the knowledge for this building method?
I learned the technique in Germany from the inventor himself. We arranged with NGOs for him to train us in Nigeria. We began by collecting bottles from farms and gutters and eventually constructed our first model building.
How did the journey progress from there?
We trained others, and interest grew. Gradually, we started receiving small contracts. Today, bottles are more valuable due to recycling efforts, so scavengers gather them, making procurement easier. We now purchase bottles rather than collect them ourselves. It's still a cost-effective alternative to traditional blocks.
How consistent has your work been since the first building?
We’ve been active since 2012 or 2013. Our latest project was a four-room public toilet at a Kaduna community school in March, using about 8,000 bottles. It was initiated by Sociology students from Ahmadu Bello University, who handled the funding.
How do you secure projects?
Most projects come through inquiries. Once we assess the intended structure, we estimate the number of bottles needed. Clients usually provide the bottles, either by collecting or buying them. After that, we handle the rest—starting with manually filling the bottles with sand and constructing the basic structure.
Do you retain workers after training?
Not necessarily. We train people and invite them when there's a project. They are free to find other opportunities as well. We can't employ everyone permanently.
Any support from government bodies?
No. Unfortunately, neither state nor local governments support us. International communities appreciate our work more. A former deputy governor even dismissed the initiative as unsustainable, but I argued otherwise—especially in a place like Kaduna where plastic waste clogs drainage systems during rainstorms.
How many people have you trained over the years?
We train in groups of 50 and have done this about four times. We’ve also trained participants from other states like Ogun, and we extend our methods to making interlocking tiles using soft plastics like nylon bags.
How many houses have you built?
We’ve built at least 15 houses across Nigeria, including Kaduna, Kano, Ibadan, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Notably, we built a five-bedroom duplex in Abuja and a three-bedroom house in Ibadan that now serves as an office. We also trained 15 locals and constructed buildings in Ghana, near Kumasi, including parts of a palace and fence.
What are the key advantages of this method?
It’s more affordable—up to 50% cheaper than conventional buildings. We use locally sourced materials, including sand from the foundation, which we sieve and reuse. Cement is only used minimally, primarily in the foundation and plastering. Structurally, these buildings are highly durable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly. They also withstand bullets, much like military sandbag barriers.
How long can these buildings last?
They can last 200 to 250 years if undisturbed. The walls regulate temperature—cool in hot weather and warm during harmattan—eliminating the need for air conditioning.
What challenges have you faced?
The main issues are lack of government support, difficulty obtaining building permits in some areas, limited funding, and low awareness—especially in rural communities where mud houses collapse during rains.
Any pushback from conventional builders?
So far, competition is minimal. But we’ve heard concerns about de-marketing sandcrete blocks. The real competition is in interlocking tiles, where our product is cheaper and more durable.
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