Marley Moore
This viral TikTok might be the newest way of reducing plastic waste
A Florida-based student posted a video on TikTok about ‘bottle bricking’ which reached over 3 million views.
In the video, she demonstrates cutting up soft plastic waste into small pieces and stuffing them into 2 litre plastic drinking bottles.
The aim is for the plastic drinking bottle to be filled with plenty of waste until it embodies the functions of a brick.
The Tik Toker, Selah Rowe, has secured a large fanbase where she informs her viewers on the impact of ‘bottle bricking’.
“The reason why I bottle brick is because I like to minimise my waste as much as possible, and keep plastic out of landfills,” she said.
“I also have a small business near me that collects these bottle bricks and will be using them for a community garden.”
Although these bottle bricks are great for garden walls or modular furniture, Professor Herman Potgieter, the Head of the School of Chemical Engineering, suggests that they are not as practical as traditional bricks.
“Most plastics are sensitive to ultraviolet light and will break down when exposed to the sun,” he said.
“So no, plastic is not an ideal building material.”
‘Bottle bricking’ may not be a perfect solution to the wider society but it definitely will reduce plastic waste within communities, schools or homes.