In 2018, UNICEF began turning Ivory Coast's plastic waste into LEGO-like bricks; how five tonnes of plastic can build one new classroom

UNICEF started an innovative project in 2018 to tackle two problems. One was the growing plastic pollution and a shortage of classrooms on Ivory Coast. The first classroom made from recycled plastic bricks in Africa was built in a neighbourhood in Abidjan. According to UNICEF, the classroom was completed in just five days.

Five tonnes of plastic for one classroom

UNICEF said that five tonnes of recycled plastic were sufficient to construct one classroom. Each classroom covered around 68 square metres. The approach was to provide a productive use for plastic that would otherwise end up in landfills, waterways or neighbourhoods. It was highlighted by UNICEF that the potential for faster and cheaper classroom construction.

Why was the project needed for Ivory Coast?

UNICEF had partnered with a Colombian enterprise to convert discarded plastic onto construction materials. Abidjan generated around 288 tonnes of plastic waste daily in 2018, according to reports. But, only around 5% was recycled. The problem became a major issue as the discarded plastic led to blocked drainage systems, flooding and pollution in the environment.


The nation also faced a shortage of good school infrastructure. It was highlighted that the large number of children unable to attend school, particularly those from poor households.

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When was the factory established?

UNICEF and the Colombian enterprise moved towards local manufacturing. A plastic-brick factory was established in Abidjan in 2019.

The factory was built to process up to 9,200 tonnes of plastic waste annually. Local production was expected to reduce dependence on imported bricks and expand classroom construction. UNICEF announced plans to build 528 classrooms through the initiative.

According to France 24, UNICEF had agreed to buy enough bricks from Conceptos Plásticos for over 500 classrooms.

France24 reported that "Five tonnes of plastic bricks, each around 50cm long and much lighter than other types of building block, are required to build a classroom. When the factory is at full capacity, its 9,200 tonnes of brick will be enough to build more than 1,800 classrooms a year."

At that time, UNICEF had estimated that the nation would need 15,000 new classrooms by 2021 and 30,000 by 2025.