Startup firm turns single-use plastics into roofing tiles

An Iligan-based startup company is aiming to convert tons of single-use plastic wastes into roofing tiles that can tackle the problem of pollution and at the same time, provide materials to modular houses, according to Game Changer on "24 Oras" on Monday.

The concept of a circular economy is gradually becoming known. It aims to prolong the life cycle of objects to prevent natural resources from depleting and becoming waste.

With green technology, the company was able to give single-use plastics, which take years to decompose, new life as roofing tiles.

“Yung idea po nagsimula dahil maraming plastic sa area namin. While we are waiting for the solution ma-resolve yung plastic problem natin, naghanap kami ng technology na pwede nating gamitin para ma-lessen at saka gamitin yung basura,” innovator Kenno Uy said.

(The idea started from the tons of plastic waste in our area. While we were waiting for the solution to our problem with plastic waste, we looked for a technology that can be used to lessen and repurpose it.)

The eco roofing tiles are as light as ordinary roofing sheets but have insulation properties against heat.

Uy said they started to develop the eco roofing tiles in 2019.

And to make the process more sustainable, the single-used plastics were not melted to avoid pollution.
They were crushed to become pellets form of plastic. They were then mixed with an eco-friendly adhesive and molded for about six hours. The tiles will be coated with cement to make them more sturdy.

This innovation is one of the startups that was given a grant by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to combat plastic pollution in the country.

“All of these are initiatives na pwede makatulong sa pagbabawas ng plastic o magamit ang plastic sa ibang paraan para hindi maging waste o maging pollutant. Para magkaroon din tayo ng una job generation, and also making sure that we protect our environment,” DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said.

(All of these initiatives can help reduce plastic consumption or use plastic in ways that do not make them pollutants. This will also generate jobs and make sure that we protect our environment.)

By next year, Uy's team aims to use their product in constructing modular houses. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News