Participatory innovation for sustainable artisanal brick production in Mexico: A case study

In Latin America, artisanal brick production constitutes an informal sector that is challenged by low income and competitiveness, inefficient technologies and processes, lack of government support, and limited investment capacity. Additionally, it is considered a source of air pollution with health impacts, yet it operates largely outside the scope of environmental regulation. Despite this, there is a limited number of studies that incorporate the perspectives of the various stakeholders involved in brick production to support the sector’s sustainability. This study conducted a participatory diagnosis to identify and prioritize technological needs in brick production, considering socioeconomic and techno-environmental factors. The participatory process was carried out in a Mexican community and involved brick kiln owners, workers, intermediaries, and end users through semi-structured surveys and participatory workshops. The results indicate that inefficient production is the most critical issue. Low-cost technological improvement strategies can be implemented, such as the air injection in the combustion chamber, rainwater harvesting and storage systems, mechanical mixers and mills and to promotion of resilience to climatic conditions through sealed roofs and covers, wood drying and storage systems, and the development of eco-technological innovations to facilitate production processes. These actions address the technological and energy needs of the system while also generating positive economic, social, and environmental outcomes improving workers’ quality of life and the sustainable use of resources.