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✍️ By: Team BC1.NL
Truly Circular 3D Printing
In a studio along the IJ waterway in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the start-up vanPlestik is based.
Here, young entrepreneurs Nout Kooij and Sam van Til use a self-built 3D printer to create various objects and everyday items from plastic waste. They work with recycled plastic to fully embrace the concept of truly circular 3D printing.
Only recycled plastic
They developed their own printer, capable of something most 3D printers cannot do. The nozzle of a typical 3D printer is quite small, meaning most printers can only process new, unused plastics. For Nout and Sam this wasn’t an option, they specifically wanted to work with recycled plastic.
However, recycled plastic can sometimes contain traces of other materials, which could clog the printer head. To solve this issue, they sought an alternative design that could accommodate particles of other substances mixed into their raw material without causing problems.
The printer handles polystyrene, ABS and polycarbonate among others
There are seven different types of plastic, and vanPlestik’s printer can process several of them. These include polystyrene, which is used to make coffee cups and plastic cutlery; ABS, commonly found in appliances such as washing machine parts and refrigerator drawers; and polycarbonate, used in many transparent products like CD cases.
Sam and Nout can already incorporate these plastics into their recycling process, but they are actively working on expanding their capabilities to process even more types in the future.
Looking for a useful purpose for your plastic waste?
The goal of vanPlestik is to provide local support in reducing the plastic waste problem. For example, they create new outdoor furniture for Amsterdam-based brewery De Prael using used beer kegs. However, Nout and Sam see many more possibilities and are eager to take on the challenge of creating new, useful items from plastic business waste. So, do you have plastic waste that needs a meaningful purpose? Get in touch with vanPlestik, they’re looking for more companies to collaborate with.
Week of the Circular Economy
From January 15 to 19, 2018, the third Week of the Circular Economy will be organized by Nederland Circulair. As one of the frontrunners, vanPlestik will open its doors on January 16. On that day, Sam and Nout aim to demonstrate that recycling doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Interested visitors can also participate in a free workshop. If you’d like to join, sign up via the Nederland Circulair website!
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