In Mangaluru, the Canara Organization for Development and Peace (CODP) has turned plastic waste into a sustainable solution. Since 1998, and more prominently since 2019, over thirty benches at locations like Fajir Church, Morgan’s Gate Park, Kadri Park, and Father Muller’s have been constructed using eco-bricks—plastic bottles packed with other plastic trash.
CODP director Fr. Vincent D’Souza explains that 1-litre and 2-litre bottles are filled to the brim with plastic trash to create these “eco-bricks.” The materials come from local bakeries, 400 Seva Sanghs, and CODP’s banquet hall functions. The concept, introduced by German student Ida Nitsche, transforms waste into sturdy bench bases.
The initiative not only promotes recycling but also provides employment opportunities. Benches at educational institutions involve children as young as ten in creating eco-bricks, fostering hands-on sustainability and creativity. The benches are carefully designed to prevent micro-plastics from reaching tree roots while providing shade with small leafy plants.
The unique benches have sparked varied reactions. Some appreciate the idea more than the aesthetics, while others are inspired to replicate the concept elsewhere. Concerns about durability are met with the assurance that even if the benches last 50 years, it’s a success, and they can be easily restored.
Displaying the green, yellow, and white bottle bottoms, these benches highlight their non-organic origins. Each bench uses hundreds of bottles, diverting waste from landfills and oceans. As CODP celebrates its Golden Jubilee, it continues to champion innovative solutions for plastic waste through eco-brick benches.