Bricks Made from Household Garbage at AVR in the Netherlands

Up-Cycling Residual Waste

At FRONT^®, we’re always searching for good waste streams to produce our WasteBasedBricks. Preferably, these streams are available on a large scale, constant in quality and don’t have a destination yet.

In 2019, we were approached by waste and energy company AVR from Rotterdam in the Netherlands. They have been converting residual waste from municipalities, factories, households and other companies into energy and raw materials since the 70s, processing around 2.4 million tonnes of residual waste annually.

With the motto ‘Too good to waste’, AVR turned out to be the perfect partner for us.

Image credits: Architectuur Maken

Location: Rozenburg, the Netherlands
Client: AVR
Design: Fokkema & Partners , Architectuur Maken
Application: Furniture
Status: Completed, 2019

Impact

Waste upcycled with this project 5,400 kg

Too Good To Waste

Together with Mineralz, a company active in cleaning contaminated soil and recycling mineral residual streams into secondary raw materials, we started a study to find out if we could work with the remains of the residual waste at AVR.

The first test batch of 3500 bricks went directly (back) to AVR to create a new reception area for their office in Rozenburg, the Netherlands.

Over 35% of the bricks consist of AVR’s residual products, and it shows visitors what is possible in terms of decreasing the mountain of waste that we have in our country, and how beautiful that can look!

In addition to FRONT^® materials, there are many more great sustainable initiatives in this space, such as ceramic tiles made from bottom ashes, carpet tiles made from production waste from the carpet industry, and lamps made of 100% recycled paper. The plastic from PET bottles formed the basis for the stools, lectern, and standing table in the space.

Media Mentions

The idea behind the new reception area is that, as AVR, we have a beautiful space to tell our story and show what can be done with waste.

Jasper de Jong, Commercial Director at AVR

The client’s circular ambition made it possible to involve the producers at an early stage, without the risk of losing momentum in a tendering process. Collaboration has led to innovation and a 100% waste-based interior.

ArchitectuurMAKEN

Products in this project

WasteBasedBricks Custom Product

This was a one-off product made specifically for this project. With our Custom Made Service, it's possible to develop your own bespoke brick or brick slip.

Discover the possibilities