Robert Bezeau builds sustainable village in Panama using recycled plastic

Entrepreneur Robert Bezeau has developed a sustainable construction project in the Bocas del Toro archipelago of Panama. After arriving in 2007 and witnessing significant plastic pollution on Isla Colón, Bezeau transitioned from documenting waste to creating a modular building system using recycled PET bottles.

The project, known as Aldeia de Botellas de Plástico, utilizes plastic bottles encased in steel cages and covered with a 2.5-centimeter layer of cement. This method provides natural thermal insulation, keeping interiors up to 35 degrees Celsius cooler than the outside temperature, and offers resistance to earthquakes. To date, over one million bottles have been used to construct houses, hotels, and even a castle. The long-term plan for the project includes 120 private residences across 330,000 square meters.

Bocas del Toro is a region characterized by its high biodiversity, including coral reefs and mangrove forests, and a diverse culture influenced by Afro-Caribbean and indigenous traditions.