Abstract

It is common sense that the ongoing climate changes represent a big challenge to humanity to 
protect housing, industries, nature and lives. This causes changes in strategies and in the 
conception of development and growth. Thinking is changing; the planet has to be preserved and 
protected not only its resources explored. All industries are engaged in this cause and so is 
construction. This article presents and alternative specifically for sustainable construction in 
coastal protection. Coastal engineering is constantly developing new projects in turn of shore 
protection and also to contribute positively to the environment. Despite climate changes, the 
development of industries and modern lifestyle generate tons of waste every year and, as result, it 
has to be disposed and treated. One way of reducing the amount of waste that goes into the 
environment is to reuse disposed items. Another way of reusing plastic bottles, a significant part 
of Brazil’s domestic waste, is presented and in a different application as commonly found: in 
coastal engineering. The breakwater that is being developed, consumes millions of bottles depending 
on the extension of the shore protection arrangement. The construction of the green breakwater is 
environmentally friendly due to the inert materials that will are used. This concept is under 
development and research but the physical model was built and tested. It consumed 1260 bottles for 
its construction and pointed to important issues and questions that have to be addressed during the 
ongoing project.

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