La Trobe researchers have found that making bricks from waste, without firing them, is a promising, greener alternative for building materials.
The research, co-authored by Professor Hossam Abuel-Naga and PhD candidate Justin Wang, addresses the major environmental challenge of the high energy use and pollution associated with traditional brick manufacturing.
“Current waste disposal methods, such as landfilling, create serious environmental issues, including land consumption, soil and groundwater contamination from leaching hazardous metals, and the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas,” says Professor Abuel-Naga.
“Simultaneously, traditional brickmaking is an energy-intensive process that depletes natural clay resources and emits substantial pollutants.”
The research aims to solve these interconnected problems by promoting a circular economy approach, transforming various solid wastes into unfired bricks.
“We found that unfired bricks can turn waste into a valuable resource. Some bricks can be made with more than 50% waste material, helping to reduce pollution and conserve natural resources.”
This study pulls together what was previously fragmented research on unfired bricks, creating a clear roadmap for turning the idea into large-scale practice.
“For policymakers and industry, the research highlights the urgent need for standardisation, certification frameworks, and supportive waste valorisation policies to address market unfamiliarity and concerns about raw material variability.”
“It positions unfired bricks as a scalable, sustainable pathway to greener infrastructure and a key element of next generation building technologies.”
