Mineral and industrial waste from construction is becoming raw material for new building through a technique developed by engineer Janaína Accordi Junkes, at the Federal University of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. “A combination of dust generated in the production of basalt and in polishing, mud from potable water treatment and red clay, discarded for esthetic reasons in the ceramics industry, form pieces that are placed externally in construction, imitating bricks,” Junkes told Tierramérica.

“In addition to keeping the waste out of the environment, we are helping maintain stocks of clay, which, like petroleum, will run out someday,” she said.

Her research, part of her doctoral thesis, won the Green Talents 2010 award from Germany's Ministry of Education.