In a breakthrough that could redefine the future of architecture, researchers at RMIT University in Australia have developed an innovative building technique using compressed earth and recycled cardboard or carbon fiber tubes — combining strength, lightness, and sustainability while outperforming traditional cement-based walls.
A team of scientists at RMIT University has unveiled a groundbreaking construction method that uses compressed earth packed inside recycled cardboard or carbon fiber tubes, marking what experts call an environmental and engineering revolution that could transform the global building industry.
Traditional cement and concrete are responsible for nearly 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions, making this innovation a sustainable and practical alternative. The idea is simple yet brilliant: blending an ancient technique — compressed earth — with modern recycled materials to create strong, flexible walls made from accessible resources such as soil, cardboard, and water.
The innovation comes in two main versions:
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Cardboard Tube Design: ideal for low-cost, eco-friendly projects.
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Carbon Fiber Tube Design: offers high-density concrete-like strength but with significantly less weight.
How It Works
When soil is tightly compacted inside a tube — whether cardboard or carbon fiber — it is prevented from expanding sideways, which gives it remarkable structural rigidity. These walls also retain the natural thermal properties of earth, staying cool in summer and warm in winter, thus reducing energy consumption.
Researchers describe the system as a modern evolution of traditional earthen homes, adapted to the technologies of the 21st century.
From Waste to Walls
The most surprising element is the use of recycled cardboard tubes as both molds and structural supports, resulting in walls and columns that are strong, recyclable, and lightweight, with a carbon footprint up to 80% lower than conventional concrete.
In Australia alone, more than two million tons of cardboard are discarded each year — making this approach both environmentally and economically smart.
The carbon fiber version takes the concept further, using materials found in aircraft, electric cars, and satellites to create ultra-strong structures that can withstand loads comparable to reinforced concrete — ideal for earthquake-prone regions or modular buildings that need both strength and flexibility.
From Lab to Reality
Although still in the experimental stage, major construction companies have already reached out to the RMIT team to explore real-world applications.
Experts believe this could mark the beginning of a new era in sustainable architecture, where earth and recycled cardboard replace cement and steel as the building blocks of the future.
