Ordinance Survey is Great Britain’s National Mapping agency providing maps to government, businesses and consumers. OS is constantly updating maps creating tons of waste, and since the inks they use are not compatible with paper pulping processes, OS maps are very difficult to recycle, so… instead of recycling them, try upcycling the outdated maps into a sturdy, energy efficient, noise dampening wall!

Here’s how they do it: Take old OS maps and bore a hole in the middle. Slide the unfolded maps onto a steel rod mounted on a timber beam. Keep stacking until the block is 1 meter high. They wrap it in Gortex to make it waterproof, windproof and fire retardant. Finally they slap another wood beam on the top and tighten it down with bolts until the compressed maps for a strong dense barrier.

The result is a well insulated wall that is water proof, wind proof, noise dampening, and fire retardant that can be used for sustainable construction. For more information check out RE:VISION.