2024-05-17T17:50:13-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150296352/recycled-plastic-blocks-designed-to-hold-similar-properties-to-concrete Niall Patrick Walsh 2022-01-26T16:32:00-05:00 >2024-03-15T01:45:58-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/75/755c66d8330b02a0e4917f16ac5df03c.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>Sustainability startup <a href="https://www.byfusion.com/" target="_blank">ByFusion</a> has developed what they describe as &ldquo;the first construction-grade building material made entirely of recycled, and often un-recyclable, <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/13445/recycled-materials" target="_blank">plastic waste</a>.&rdquo; Named ByBlock, the interlocking blocks use the same principles as <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/2938/lego" target="_blank">LEGO</a> with protrusions on the top surface allowing for blocks to be pieced together to form retaining walls, sheds, privacy fencing, accent walls, landscaping, and furniture.</p> <p>To create ByBlock, the company collects discarded plastic, which is shredded and superheated before being fused into the completed block with no fillers or adhesives used. The blocks are sized to the same dimensions as standard concrete blocks (16x8x8 inches) but generate 41% less <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/167905/climate-change" target="_blank">greenhouse gas emissions</a> than concrete blocks during manufacturing, and hold the same thermal resistance value despite being 10 pounds lighter. </p> <figure><figure><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/c8/c8527afe8d79148e40f04d642586d7c2.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/c8/c8527afe8d79148e40f04d642586d7c2.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=514"></a><figcaption>Image via ByFusion</figcaption></figure></figure><p>"Every ByBlock prevents 22 pounds from being landfilled or incinerated," ByFusion claims. "ByBlocks are designed to integrate...</p>