Santo Domingo (April 2022)–Three families that recycle by trade received eco-friendly houses, built with polyaluminum plates, a material obtained from the recycling process of Tetra Pak containers. Tetra Pak led the initiative, in alliance with Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic, the Latin American Network of Waste Pickers (RED LACRE) and the National Movement of Waste Pickers of the Dominican Republic (MMRRD).
This project was developed with the fundamental principle of improving the quality of life of families with limited resources who are dedicated to the work of collecting waste in different dumps in the country. On average, more than 470,000 Tetra Pak post-consumer containers were used, which were converted into polyaluminum to be used in the construction of the three eco-friendly houses.
Polyaluminum is the material obtained by separating and processing the components of Tetra Pak packaging, which are cardboard, polyethylene and aluminium.
Two houses were built in San Juan de la Maguana and one in Azua; each one has two bedrooms, a bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen and enjoys the benefits offered by polyaluminum, a highly durable material with resistance to humidity, and noise insulation. Additionally, it allows spaces to stay cooler.
Proprietary recyclers
Rafael Ferrera, a native of Azua, who for 15 years has worked as a recycler by trade to earn his livelihood. Before being struck by the good news of this eco-friendly housing project, Rafael and his family lived in a house located in a high-risk area and that was not in adequate conditions to be inhabited.
Now his wife and 10 children have a decent home. The same fate had José Luis Ogando, a recycler by trade for 20 years at the landfill in the El Cardón section of the El Rosario municipality, San Juan de la Maguana province. For his financial support and that of his family – made up of his wife and four children – Ogando collects hard plastic, iron, aluminum, calamine, copper and bronze.
Ribal Pineda, a man who has been a professional recycler for more than 17 years at the El Cardón municipal landfill, in the El Rosario municipality, San Juan de la Maguana province. With this initiative, Ribal, along with his wife and daughter, improved their housing conditions.
For the construction of these houses Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic was supporting through our team of engineers with the design and construction of the house, concrete and wood blocks were used; and a covering of ceilings and walls of polyaluminium plates.
Each home is built with polyaluminum sheets recovered from properly recycled Tetra Pak packaging. In total, the house was made up to 70% with recycled materials. The three houses have thermal advantages, since they concentrate less heat transfer, which represents lower energy consumption and offer greater comfort for families.
“What for many is considered garbage, for the beneficiaries of the first phase of the eco-friendly houses represents economic sustenance. Tetra Pak is a company committed to strengthening the solid waste collection infrastructure; That is why we support and contribute to add to the well-being and improvement of the housing conditions of the people who help everyone with their honorable recycling work,” said Mónica Montes, Tetra Pak sustainability manager.
The project was designed under the current regulations of the Dominican Republic for the construction of houses, taking as a reference the last category 5 hurricanes, such as Irma and María, and the 2011 earthquake in Haiti.
Tetra Pak® Sachet Tetra Pak is a world leader in food processing and packaging solutions. Working hand in hand with our customers and suppliers, we offer safe, innovative and ecological products that satisfy the needs of hundreds of millions of people in more than 160 countries every day.
With more than 25,000 employees around the world, we believe in responsible industry leadership and a sustainable business approach. Our promise, “PROTECT WHAT’S GOOD™,” reflects our vision to commit to making food safe and available, all over the world. About Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic empowers families to create strength, stability and self-sufficiency through housing. Since the beginning of its work in 1986, the institution has carried out more than 37,000 housing solutions and impacted around 188,000 people.
Dominican Habitat contributes to the country in improving the living conditions of families that are part of the qualitative and quantitative housing deficit. This is achieved by developing programs that facilitate access to housing micro-financing for low-income families with technical assistance in construction, and by creating financial education programs that support and contribute to reducing the deficit. We empower with housing.
