Maya Ellison
With the world facing a plastic waste crisis, it is important to find ways to recycle and reuse plastic. Shredded plastic can be used to create valuable products such as 3D printer filament, polyester fabric, and even building materials like bricks and roofs. Distributed recycling and additive manufacturing (DRAM) technologies enable consumers to turn plastic waste into useful items at a minimal cost. Additionally, open-source products like shredders, recyclebots, and 3D printers can process various plastics for ecoprinting and other applications. While the onus for reducing plastic waste lies primarily with corporations, individuals can also play a role by properly disposing of plastic items, reusing or donating them, and separating non-recyclable objects to facilitate efficient waste management.
What to do with shredded plastic?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| 3D printing filament | Shredded plastic can be used as 3D printing filament, which is now listed on Amazon Basics. This can be achieved using a syringe printer or a recyclebot. |
| Distributed recycling and additive manufacturing (DRAM) | DRAM is an open-source technology that can be used to turn shredded plastic into valuable products. It can be powered by solar energy and has been shown to work with a wide range of plastics. |
| Fabric | PET plastic can be turned into excellent polyester fabric. Many companies already use recycled plastic in their products, such as Patagonia and Unifi. |
| Construction | Shredded plastic can be melted and moulded into bricks or roof sheets. These are durable and have advantages over traditional roofing materials in tropical countries. |
| Oil | Plastic can become oil again through a process called pyrolysis, which involves heating plastic in a chamber with little to no oxygen to prevent combustion. |
| Donation | Some plastic items, such as Easter eggs and small toys, can be donated to churches, schools, or thrift stores for reuse. |
| Community recycling | Some community recycling programs accept a wide range of plastic items, such as disposable contact containers. |
| Facebook groups | Local "Buy Nothing" or "free" Facebook groups can be used to give away unwanted plastic items to others in the community. |
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What You'll Learn
Use shredded plastic to filter and recycle water
Plastic is a versatile material that can be recycled and reused in numerous ways. One innovative way to utilise shredded plastic is by employing it as a filtration medium in wastewater treatment processes. This approach has been explored in onsite wastewater treatment plants, where shredded recycled plastic serves as the packing media in vertical flow filters.
The use of shredded plastic, specifically ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), in these filters has shown promising results. Its large surface area, high mechanical strength, and chemical inertness make it an effective filtration material. The hydraulic load of 50 dm3/m2 was applied during the testing phase, and the system achieved high reduction efficiencies for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total suspended solids (TSS) in the primary effluent.
Shredded plastic can be used to create a filter bed for wastewater treatment. The process involves constructing a supporting structure made of aluminium sections to bear the weight of the bed and allow the treated wastewater to flow freely. The filter bed itself is composed of plastic boxes filled with recycled plastic granules derived from sources such as electronic equipment. The boxes are covered with a plastic mesh at the bottom to prevent the transfer of shredded plastic into the box below, and their sides are lined with a PUR sponge to retain the bed particles.
The use of shredded plastic in water filtration offers a potential solution to the growing problem of plastic waste. By recycling plastic into filtration systems, we can reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution and improve water treatment processes, especially in areas without centralised wastewater treatment infrastructure.
Additionally, shredded plastic can be used in 3D printing, which is becoming more accessible and mainstream. This technology allows individuals and small businesses to create their own products, reducing waste and providing economic opportunities, especially in underprivileged communities.
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Convert plastic waste into 3D printer filament
Recycling plastic waste into 3D printer filament is an innovative way to reduce waste, promote eco-friendly manufacturing, and cut down on costs. This process can be done at home or with specialised machines, such as the 3devo Filament Maker or the GP20 Plastic Shredder. Here is a step-by-step guide to converting plastic waste into 3D printer filament:
Collecting and Sorting Plastic Waste
Firstly, collect plastic waste for recycling. This can include items such as old household appliances, plastic bottles (PET), or plastic waste from shops that would otherwise be discarded. It is important to sort the plastic waste by type, as different plastics react differently to heat and may not mix well when melted together.
Cleaning and Grinding
The plastic pieces should be cleaned and dried thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue. This step is crucial as dirt can clog your equipment or contaminate the final filament. Once clean, the plastic pieces can be ground into small granules or shavings. An electric hand plane or a coffee grinder can be used for this step, ensuring the plastic is as fine and homogeneous as possible.
Melting and Extrusion
The ground plastic is then heated to melt it into a mouldable form. This can be done in an oven at a temperature of around 90°C for about 60 minutes, checking the temperature with an infrared thermometer. After melting, the plastic is fed into an extruder, which pushes it through a small opening to create a consistent filament. This can be done with a homemade extrusion line or a specialised machine like the Filament Maker, which offers precision and control over temperature and extrusion speed.
Post-Processing and Printing
After extrusion, the filament may require some post-processing steps, such as cooling and spooling. Once ready, the recycled filament can be used in a 3D printer to create new objects. This process allows you to print various items, such as RC drone frames, chair feet, gears, and even custom designs.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Recycling plastic into 3D printer filament has multiple benefits. It reduces plastic waste, decreases environmental pollution, conserves natural resources, and promotes a circular economy. Additionally, it can be a cost-effective solution, especially for individuals and small businesses, as it reduces the need to purchase new filament and allows for the creation of custom products at a lower cost.
Converting plastic waste into 3D printer filament is a sustainable and innovative approach that can have a positive impact on the environment and local communities. It empowers individuals to create, recycle, and reduce their carbon footprint.
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Make polyester fabric from recycled plastic
Plastic waste is abundant, and recycling it to create polyester fabric is an excellent way to reduce our carbon footprint. The process of making polyester fabric from recycled plastic is a viable alternative to using virgin polyester and helps conserve energy and resources. Here is a step-by-step guide on how shredded plastic can be transformed into polyester fabric:
Collection and Shredding:
The process begins with collecting plastic bottles and containers from landfills and recycling centers. These plastics are then shredded into small flakes or bits, removing any moisture and residual liquids. Shredding is a crucial step to ensure the plastic is ready for the next stage of processing.
Melting and Extrusion:
The shredded plastic flakes are then melted down into a molten state. This liquid plastic is then extruded, which means it is spun and pulled, forming long plastic filaments or strands. These filaments are extremely fine, much thinner than human hair.
Strengthening and Spinning:
The plastic filaments are then torn into smaller pieces, creating a fluffy texture. This step is essential to strengthen the plastic strands and prepare them for the next stage. The fluffy plastic pieces are then spun and twisted together to create a continuous polyester thread or yarn.
Dyeing and Knitting:
The polyester thread can be dyed in various colors to create a range of fabric options. The yarn is then knitted, cut, and sewn into clothing items, just like any other fabric. This process transforms recycled plastic into a versatile and eco-friendly fabric.
Final Product:
The recycled polyester fabric is now ready to be used in various applications, from clothing to home textiles. This fabric is exceptionally versatile and helps reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste.
By following these steps, shredded plastic can be given a new lease of life as polyester fabric, contributing to a more sustainable future.
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Create bricks by melting plastic bags
Plastic waste is a pressing issue, with only 21% of all the plastic ever produced having been recycled or incinerated. As such, finding new ways to reuse it is crucial. One such way is to create bricks by melting plastic bags.
A Colombian architect, Oscar Mendez, started an initiative called Conceptos Plasticos, which aims to reduce waste and poverty by providing cheaper and better housing solutions for people in need. The plastic waste is melted and poured into a mould to produce plastic blocks that interlock like Lego pieces. This allows whole communities and families to easily construct their own homes.
To create plastic bricks, different types of plastic can be combined, from water bottles and milk cartons to food packaging and bottle tops, as they all melt at between 200°C and 250°C. Once the plastic is melted, it can be poured into a mould to form a brick. Alternatively, the melted plastic can be deposited using a cone-shaped nozzle, in a criss-cross pattern, to create a lattice structure. This lattice can then be coated with a solid outer layer to improve insulation.
Plastic bricks are strong and can match the strength of ordinary cement mortar bricks in the walls of five-storey buildings. They are also ten times better at insulating a wall than conventional clay bricks of the same size. Additionally, they can be used to cool a building by absorbing sunlight and preventing temperature increases.
Creating bricks from plastic bags provides a way to recycle plastic waste and address the global demand for new buildings, providing a sustainable and innovative solution to construction.
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Use distributed recycling and additive manufacturing (DRAM) to turn plastic waste into valuable products
Shredded plastic waste can be used to create valuable products through distributed recycling and additive manufacturing (DRAM). DRAM is an innovative approach that involves using recycled materials in the 3D printing process to create new products. This process not only reduces plastic waste but also encourages community participation in recycling initiatives.
The first step in the DRAM process is to sort and wash the shredded plastic with soap and water. The clean shredded plastic then undergoes extrusion or other processing techniques to create filament or pellets suitable for 3D printing. This transformation is key to converting plastic waste into valuable resources.
The 3D printing process can then be used to create a wide range of products, from learning aids for children to household items and adaptive aids for people with arthritis. These products can be customized and complex, minimizing material waste during production. Additionally, 3D printing with recycled plastic is highly profitable, as it saves money on the cost of new plastic and reduces the environmental impact of plastic production.
DRAM can be implemented at the community level, with small businesses, non-profits, or volunteer initiatives taking ownership of the recycling process. This promotes local economic growth and learning, as well as environmental sustainability. For example, France is studying the creation of small businesses that would pick up plastic waste from schools to make 3D filament.
DRAM has also been shown to work in isolated communities with no recycling infrastructure by using solar-powered systems. This makes DRAM applicable in a wide range of settings, helping to reduce plastic waste and create valuable products almost anywhere.
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Frequently asked questions
Shredded plastic can be used as a resource in many ways. One option is to melt the plastic and mould it into bricks. Alternatively, you can use shredded plastic as 3D printer filament to create your own products.
There are many ways to shred plastic. You can use a shredder, recyclebot or GigabotX.
If you don't have a 3D printer, you can donate your shredded plastic to a local school or small business that may use it for their own 3D printing.
Any plastic waste with a recycling symbol on it can be shredded and turned into valuable products.
