TrashWalls / DWB (Drywall Waste Block)

The premise of this research is to create a high performance building material from low value construction and demolition waste products. In this research, we focused on developing a building block material made from a high percentage of gypsum wallboard/drywall waste. The blocks we have developed show superior results compared to conventional and traditional masonry materials, with ten times the r-value of concrete masonry units, compression strength that exceeded earth blocks and approaches CMUs, and significantly lighter weight. The research team had discussions with representatives from the construction industry, building block manufacturers, gypsum wallboard companies, and waste management professionals to understand how this product would be applied as a building material. A 3’x3’x3’ mock-up constructed with full scale blocks was exhibited at the Make/Do: A History of Reuse exhibition at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma, WA.