The Latin American island built with 1 million plastic bottles: it has a medieval-style castle

Plastic Bottles

This island with plastic buildings has become a symbol of sustainability and creativity, demonstrating that, with innovation and commitment.

On a paradise island located in Latin America stands a unique village whose construction is almost entirely made of recycled plastic bottles. The builders claim that the houses are cooler because the bottles act as insulation.

This initiative, led by Canadian entrepreneur Robert Bezeau, was launched in 2009 in response to the growing accumulation of plastic waste on the island, especially during the high tourist season. We tell you about this unusual and environmentally friendly form of construction.

The Latin American island built with 1 million plastic bottles: it has a medieval-style castle

This is the paradise Isla Colón, located in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Panama. Bezeau, realising the magnitude of the problem, decided to take action. He hired 15 local workers and, over six months, they sorted more than 60,000 bags of rubbish into categories. They soon identified plastic bottles as the main challenge.

Thus, the ‘Plastic Bottle Village’ was born, a project that not only seeks to reduce pollution but also to offer sustainable housing. However, it goes beyond simple houses; within the project, monumental constructions such as a castle and a dungeon have been built.

The Latin American Island Built With 1 Million Plastic Bottles: It Has A Medieval-Style Castle

The benefits of this type of construction

The structures built with these plastic bottles are not only functional but also aesthetically appealing. The walls of the houses, made from recycled plastic bottles, provide thermal and acoustic insulation, adapting to the hot and humid climate of the region. In addition, the use of recycled materials reduces the project’s ecological footprint.

Recycled plastic bottles are used for: home insulation, rapid temporary shelters after disasters, farm animal buildings, swimming pools, barns, roads, and more.

This village on a paradise island is not only an example of innovative recycling, but also a response to the global environmental crisis. The initiative has gained international recognition and inspired other communities to explore similar solutions. In addition, the Plastic Bottle Village offers plots of land and houses to those who wish to collaborate in the construction of a less polluted planet.

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