Here in the developed world, we're lucky to have lots of eco-friendly and efficient roofing options, but in the third world most of those choices are out of reach. Researchers at the New York Institute of Technology are looking to change that and address some of the single use plastic problem at the same time with their plastic roof concept.

Using reclaimed plastic soda bottles and plastic pallets, they're working on a roof design that's well-insulated, lets in natural light, and is affordable. The project is called SodaBIB, and it could change lives for a lot of people. Jeff at Sustainablog explains:

...makeshift roofing of materials like corrugated tin often provides minimal protection in normal conditions… and often none when disasters like hurricanes strike.  These materials often trap and/or radiate heat, and provide no natural lighting, making for an uncomfortable and unhealthy living space.

Part of what makes this concept great is that the plastic waste used in its construction is already littering the areas that need it and that they're developing something that's easy to assemble.

The SodaBIB is still in development. They've built a small prototype that works great, but now the researchers are trying to raise money to create a full-scale version that's the size of a greenhouse. To create the roof, each pallet goes into a laser cutter that creates the sockets where the soda bottles screw in. Creating the pallets and assembling the prototype takes time and money, and they're looking for some help with the latter.

You can learn more about The SodaBIB Project over on their website, and if you'd like to donate to help support their efforts, check out their Kickstarter campaign.