PLAEX™: Putting waste to work

What building material is stronger than concrete, crack-and-moisture resistant, affordable AND eco-friendly?

The answer:  PLAEX-crete™ - an innovative cement-like composite made almost entirely from recycled industrial waste and plastics.

Driven by a desire to reduce the construction industry’s carbon-footprint, Dustin Bowers, founder and CEO/CTO of PLAEX™ Building Systems Inc. created an interlocking block system using this unique composite as an alternative to traditional building materials like wood, brick and cement.

“In my personal life, I had always tried to be as sustainable as possible,” explains Bowers. “After I became a parent in 2017, I realized I needed to make change to my working life for my family and the planet.”

Tackling the planet’s plastic problem

Bowers cites some sobering statistics: 340 million tons of plastic waste generated globally each year with less than 10% of that amount being recycled; 2.2 billion tons of waste generated by the construction and demolition industries with less than half being recycled.    

“I have over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, where I learned a lot, but I also witnessed enormous waste and wanted to make a difference.” 

Putting his industry experience to work, Bowers set out to create an eco-friendly building product using difficult-to-recycle industrial waste that would typically be destined for landfills or the incinerator. 

 “I had this crazy idea of creating building blocks – much like the Legos® we played with as kids,” laughs Bowers. 

Made from 90% recycled plastic and aggregate waste, PLAEX Bricks™ are arguably just about as simple and fun to put together as the iconic children’s toy. Although similar to concrete in look and feel, these bricks are 35% lighter and less prone to cracking, splitting and water absorption. Their interlocking mortarless design means they snap together quickly and easily - creating a water-and-air-tight seal (with proper installation) and offering big saving in time and labour. 

 [To see how PLAEX Bricks™ stack up against traditional concrete cinder blocks, check out this video]

Working together to build a stronger future

Bowers credits the collaboration and support of many friends, family members, industry leaders and partners – in particular ACOA - for bringing the innovative idea to life. 

“ACOA has been a massive help to us, especially with capital support which has been critical to the continued growth of this company.” 

And while Bowers clearly has the interests of the whole planet at heart, the positive impacts of his innovative enterprise are already being felt here at home. To create its unique composite, PLAEX sources waste material from local companies, suppliers and organizations. The company can also help deal with waste left by storms and climate events. During the clean-up from Hurricane Fiona, PLAEX processed and transformed waste collected from hard-hit Newfoundland and Labrador. 

And so, out of destruction come the building blocks for new beginnings. 

“I believe this company can contribute to a better world and a better planet,” says Bowers. “It’s been a wild journey so far - sometimes tumultuous and stressful – a big mix of emotions, but overall, its immensely fulfilling work to help the climate and our planet.  I’d rather do this than anything else in the world.”