Costa Rican Mother Builds Sustainable 200-Year Home from Recycled Plastic Blocks

Cindy Mora's decade-long dream of homeownership culminated in a sustainable house built from recycled plastic blocks in Alajuelita, Costa Rica. After saving for nine consecutive years, Mora, a single mother, purchased land at age 30. She raised her son, Fabrizio, in her parents' home until she was ready to build.

Facing limited access to mortgage financing in Costa Rica, Mora adopted austere economic measures, especially after becoming pregnant. Once her son was seven, she acquired a plot of land but lacked funds for construction. She sought assistance from various non-profit organizations to achieve her goal.

Mora qualified for a bonus from the construction company Urbarium, which, along with Procter & Gamble (P&G), provided funding and labor. Procter & Gamble also sourced eco-friendly plastic-based materials through the "Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica" project. The 12x6 meter house was built using 850 blocks made from recycled car bumpers, bottles, and packaging.

Each block measures 50 cm long, 10 cm high, and 3.7 cm thick, with the total weight of the blocks reaching two and a half tons. The construction took seven days. Mora and her son received the finished house on May 26. The facade features plaster and wood finishes, making it comparable to conventional homes, but with a remarkable 200-year lifespan.

Mora noted the house's unique properties: "When it's hot, the blocks keep the temperature cool inside, and when it's cold, the opposite happens, it maintains a normal temperature. As for sounds, the walls absorb them much more," she described. Her effort and experience offer a replicable model for sustainable housing.

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When it's hot, the blocks keep the temperature cool inside, and when it's cold, the opposite happens, it maintains a normal temperature. As for sounds, the walls absorb them much more.