ReCreateIt Unveils International Collaboration: Turning Plastic Waste into Sustainable Home Goods through Community-Led Manufacturing.
(Austin, TX) ReCreateIt, a global collaboration of business, education, and nonprofit
organizations, announces the launch of an initiative aimed at transforming plastic waste
into sustainable home goods through community-led manufacturing. The project aspires
to divert at least 10,000 pounds of plastic waste from landfills, train 20 Austin Habitat for
Humanity ReStore employees in state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques and educate
and engage more than 500 community members.
Developed in partnership with Austin Habitat for Humanity ReStores (AHFH) and
supported by the National Science Foundation’s Convergence Accelerator, and their
funding partner, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
(CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, ReCreateIt is set to redefine waste
management practices and empower localized communities.
A key element of this initiative is the creation of high-value products from recycled
plastic. Project partner re:3D, Inc. will spearhead this effort by constructing a
sophisticated laboratory within a modified shipping container. This lab will be equipped
with a GigabotX 3D printer, a granulator, and a material dryer enabling efficient and
innovative plastic recycling processes.
“Through addressing plastic waste pollution and fostering job creation, we seek to
empower individuals with zero-waste and technology education, creating a positive
impact that resonates far beyond the scope of our project,” said Samantha Snabes, cofounder
and catalyst of re:3D, Inc., and co-principal investigator for ReCreateIt.
Georgia Tech will take the lead in developing an interactive design tool, empowering
customers to select and customize home goods crafted from recycled materials. This
user-friendly tool will enhance customer engagement and drive the adoption of
sustainable products.
In collaboration with the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Wollongong,
a comprehensive sustainability dashboard will be deployed. This dashboard will
meticulously collect and communicate the environmental impacts of the project,
ensuring transparency and fostering community awareness.
Western Sydney University, along with the aforementioned academic partners, will
conduct cutting-edge polymer research. This research aims to improve the printability of
recycled materials while maintaining the structural integrity of the 3D-printed parts,
thereby pushing the boundaries of material science and engineering.
The project team will install this innovative system on-site at AHFH ReStore, training
their workers to operate the lab and manufacture products for community distribution. To
ensure widespread access to the project’s findings, research, metrics, and data will be
made available through a dedicated public-facing website.
By integrating advanced technology, collaborative research, and community
involvement, ReCreateIt is poised to make significant strides in sustainable waste
management and product innovation. This initiative not only addresses pressing
environmental challenges but also fosters economic and educational opportunities for
the community.
Additionally, insights gained from the recycling processes will be leveraged to design
new products with enhanced potential for circularity. By understanding the lifecycle of
recycled materials, ReCreateIt aims to create products that are not only sustainable but
also designed with future recycling and reusability in mind, embodying the principles of
circular design.
About ReCreateIt
ReCreateIt is a pioneering initiative dedicated to transforming plastic waste through
community-led manufacturing. Led by re:3D while partnering with Austin Habitat for
Humanity ReStore, University of Texas at Austin, University of Wollongong, Western
Sydney University, Georgia Tech and supported by the National Science Foundation’s
Convergence Accelerator, ReCreateIt aims to revolutionize waste management
practices, empower underserved communities, and advance sustainable manufacturing
solutions. For more information, visit re3d.org/recreateit.
