Bricks Made from Recycled Drywall? It's Under Development at WSU

A team of researchers at Washington State University have developed a new building material made from drywall waste and other construction debris. The material was designed with the hope it can reduce waste while creating a more affordable product.

According to the Construction & Demolition Recycling website:

While there have been increasing efforts to recycle many construction materials, low-value drywall makes up nearly half of un-recycled construction debris.

The blocks are made from 80% drywall waste and a binder made from industrial byproducts. They are waterproof and lighter than earth blocks, bricks, or concrete blocks. The researchers are partnering with local contractors to get the debris, and architecture students are using a press to build the blocks, which look like masonry bricks.

The researchers will begin testing the blocks to meet building and fire codes over the next year and aim to build a small structure for demonstration.