From a very young age, we're exposed to the adage: reduce, reuse, and recycle. For many people in first world countries, recycling is second nature. All we have to do is separate the recyclables from the other garbage and dispose of it accordingly. For those living in developing countries, however, it's not so simple.
Many people aren't aware of the negative impact humans have on the planet or they simply don't live anywhere near a recycling facility. Robert Bezeau, decided to do something about that.
Bezeau moved from Canada to the Bocas province of Panama to spearhead a recycling program in 2012. The amount of recyclable material from the town was astounding. He estimates that over one million bottles were collected over only 1.5 years. Bocas has only one landfill in the area and it couldn't possibly accommodate that much trash.
Instead of tossing the recyclables, he came up with a new way to use the plastic bottles without harming the surrounding environment.
Scroll down to find out how Bezeau has been changing lives in the province of Bocas with a simple idea and a lot of recyclables!
[H/T: Plastic Bottle Village]
Robert Bezeau is revolutionizing the way people look at recycling.
Instead of tossing old plastic bottles, he's using them to build a village.
The initiative is called Plastic Bottle Village and its mission is simple: “Changing the world without changing the Earth, one home at a time.”
Plastic bottles are used in place of regular insulation inside of concrete walls, thereby reducing waste and significantly cutting costs.
The homes are earthquake resistant and very cool, eliminating the need for air conditioners — another perk for the surrounding environment!
But, how much of an impact could this possibly make for the people of Panama? Consider this.
If you were born after 1978 and lived to be 80 years old, statistically speaking, you'd leave behind a minimum of 14,400 plastic bottles.
It takes about 14,000 plastic bottles to complete a two-story plastic bottle house.
Living in one of these homes would effectively neutralize the negative effects a person's bad recycling habits have on the environment.
The project began in 2015 and will continue to progress in three phases.
The village will stretch across 83 acres with partial views of the ocean.
Plastic Bottle Village will feature more than just homes.
Bezeau and his team are in the process of adding a community center, hiking trails, and a yoga-exercise pavilion.
Not only does this program help the environment, but it's also giving back to the community.
In exchange for plastic bottles, Bezeau is providing locals with dry food such as rice and beans.
Over time, the community will consist of around 120 homes, as well as small boutiques and community gardens.
It's a small step, but it's sure to have a very big impact.
What do you think of the steps Bezeau and his team are taking to make our environment a better, cleaner place?
Let us know in the comments and don't forget to SHARE with the eco-lovers in your life!
