Recycled bricks? This start-up could revolutionize home construction
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The California-based startup ByFusion has developed a revolutionary system for manufacturing construction bricks from non-recyclable plastics.
Its innovative, patented technology produces bricks, called ByBlocks, using a combination of steam and compression. Machines squeeze and compress the plastic, creating the colorful bricks.

The company estimates that the use of ByBlocks allows for a 41% reduction in greenhouse gases compared to the use of traditional bricks.

These are some of its main advantages:

• Cost reduction in the project: ByBlocks bricks have a long lifespan, weigh less than traditional bricks, and do not require the use of additives such as mortar. Furthermore, no specific knowledge is required for installation, resulting in cost savings of approximately 54% on materials and labor.
• Zero breakage: they don't break or fall apart.
• Water resistant.
• Insect resistant: the plastic is not consumable by termites.

The use of these bricks would allow a second life to be given to all the non-recyclable plastics that often end up in the oceans.

The bricks we use in Spain are made primarily from clay extracted from quarries. According to research, it is estimated that producing one kilogram of bricks in Spain requires 3.56 megajoules of primary energy equivalent, 1.89 liters of water, and the emission of 270 grams of CO2 into the atmosphere.

ByFusion is processing 450 tons of plastics per year, and aims to reach 100 million tons by 2030. To achieve this, it offers its two machine models (with a monthly processing capacity of 30 and 90 tons) for rent or purchase so that recycling centers, governments, or companies can use its technology.