This Canadian Entrepreneur is on the Cusp of Something

Imagine yourself walking along the side of the road and coming across empty plastic milk jugs scattered around. The average person would dismiss it as garbage and keep walking. Josh Griffin is not one of those people.

 

For him, each bit of this plastic represents hope. Hope to not only end the problem of plastic waste around the world, but also to eliminate homelessness. In a way, his ideas are reminiscent of Japanese architect’s Shigeru Ban’s use of cardboard tubes to create easy-to-build and accessible disaster relief shelters in the late 80s and early 90s.

 

Despite not having previous experience in architecture or design, Josh drew from his background in construction to envision the project and to help inform the project and the best way to build shelters.

 

Josh’s inspired-in-Bali, made-in-Canada approach is a laudable attempt to tackle both plastic pollution and homelessness.

 

We had the opportunity to talk to Josh about his project, its progress so far, and the hurdles he has faced along the way.

 

Inspiration behind the Project

 

Josh lived in Bali, Indonesia for two years, and the plastic waste situation he witnessed firsthand was an eye-opening experience. Every day during the rainy season, the beaches would be completely covered in plastics, and as far as the eye could see there were plastics floating in the ocean. On his return to Canada, Josh noticed how the homelessness situation had gotten worse too.

 

The idea to eliminate two major problems in the world at once led him to discover Precious Plastic – an open hardware plastic recycling project launched in 2013. Josh’s goal is to create small portable temporary shelters for those experiencing homelessness made from 100% recycled plastics.

 

The Project

 

The main goal of the project is laudable, and Josh has devised an amazing process to make it happen.

 

Josh uses one of the most common and accessible forms of plastic, HDPE #2. This is the type of plastic found in milk containers, shampoo bottles, laundry detergent bottles, plastic buckets, garden furniture, pot plants, and more. He says this type of plastic is perfect for building materials because it’s a high-quality thermoplastic, with great durability and insulation properties.

 

 

Once he has the plastic, Josh uses a shredder to break the plastic down into a more manageable and consistent size. After that he uses other machines to heat the material, then extrude it and press it into the molds that will give him his building blocks.

 

Josh has been working to prototype his material and is experimenting with different additives to change its properties. This allows him to adapt the material to be stronger and harder, and it also improves the insulation capacity. So far he’s been testing out the material by making different bricks, and lots of smaller tiles and coasters. The great thing about his process is that it can easily be scaled up to create larger components, bigger bricks, blocks, beams, and other structural elements needed for the shelters.

 

The other noteworthy thing about the material is how resilient it is. It’s long-lasting, chemical-resistant, water-resistant, UV-resistant, fire-retardant, rot-resistant, and nearly maintenance-free. Plus, the usage of plastic has the added benefit of being able to be recycled and used over again.

 

Josh showed us his prototypes and neatly arranged stacks of 4-pack tiles/coasters that he intends to sell in order to raise some funds for his workshop.

 

According to Josh, the possibilities with plastics are endless when it comes to building the shelters. “Everything from the roof to the foundation and everything in between—interior and exterior—can be made from plastics,” he said. “When additives are added to these plastics they make them much stronger, longer-lasting and more durable than concrete, wood, or metal.”

 

Josh also recognizes that one of the strengths of his project is that it is nearly unlimited in what can be created. He can use the same technology and the same process to create shelters for animals to keep them warm during freezing Winnipeg winters, or use it to construct wash stations or needle disposal boxes where they are needed most.

 

Support From the Community

 

The community support Josh has received has been very positive and encouraging so far. Plenty of local communities and Winnipeg residents have reached out to help and volunteer for the project. Companies in and around Winnipeg have sent over plastic products to support the cause.

 

Lots of people, community groups, and businesses have reached out to donate plastics. Local schools, hospitals, small- and medium-sized businesses as well as shopping malls in the area have shown interest in collecting plastic for the project.

 

With such a ubiquitous material, it’s not surprising that Josh has also received help from a local community group to provide him with warehouse space where he can store the materials he’s collecting.

 

What Keeps Him Going?

 

Even after two years of working on the project, Josh is still just as enthusiastic and excited about the project as when he first started. His passion for the project and interest in plastic recycling technology are a major source of motivation.

 

“I strongly believe that this is the technology of the future and this project can be a light of hope for people across the globe,” he responded when asked about his source of motivation.

 

What’s Next?

 

Right now Josh is still working to get his workshop set up in Winnipeg. He has many of the things needed to create the shelters, but still needs to acquire more production tools like 3D printers, a CNC milling machine, a laser cutter/engraver, and a plastic scanner. He also wants to land a few contracts so he can start hiring staff and put a team together.

 

Josh is up for the challenge of hard work.

 

We asked Josh about what his future plans will look like if his project takes off in Winnipeg.

 

“If this project becomes successful here in Winnipeg, I would then like to get little workshops set up in every province across Canada,” Josh said. “Teaching this technology and the process, creating jobs and having homes built for those who need it most, and showing people everything else that can be done with the plastics. Once this becomes successful across Canada, I would then like to go back to Bali, Indonesia and get the same thing going on out there.”

 

While moral support is much appreciated, the project could use some backing in the form of funding. Josh launched a GoFundMe page in February, 2021 to gather funds for equipment and a workspace, and he is still accepting donations to reach the designated target of $18,000.

 

Josh thinks that the pandemic has proven to be a major hurdle as people have been struggling for the past two years. Nevertheless, he is hopeful that the project will be very successful once it picks up momentum.

 

If you want to contribute to Josh’s dream of helping people in need in Winnipeg, visit his GoFundMe.