Researchers from Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (Kist) are researching on ways of using pet plastic bottles in the construction industry to prevent environmental pollution. A survey by Rwanda Environment Management Authority (Rema) indicates that every day, an average of 80,000 500 ml pet bottles are put on Kigali market. The bottles are used mainly for packing soft drinks, mineral water, milk and oil. The research follows alarm bells that waste pet bottles that are being strewn around are hazardous. Pet bottles are non-degradable materials, which when burned releases toxic chemicals harmful to health, the researchers said. Rema Deputy Director-General Coletha Ruhamya said there is need to enlighten people about the problems of waste pet bottles so they can use them after being transformed into fibres. Ruhamya called for a recycling industry to be set up. “These bottles can be used as bricks and we achieve a green environment. Let us work together to determine the percentage of plastic fibre which gives more strength when compared to control concrete so we make our environment clean,” she said.
