UOW researcher uses plastic waste to 3D print furnished homes
The project is titled 'Designing for Circular Economics: Creating Impact from Local Plastic Waste Using Off-Grid Containerized 3D Printers and Practice Based Learning'
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, out of the approximately 400 million tonnes of plastic waste produced every year, only an estimated 9% has been recycled. Dr. Aziz Ahmed, a lecturer in Structural Engineering in the School of Civil, Mining, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering at the University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia, is part of an international cross-disciplinary team focused on finding a solution to the scourge of plastic, and further integrating the material into the circular economy, to be reused for other value-added purposes.
With the support of the National Science Foundation in the United States, and CSIRO in Australia, UOW project lead, Dr. Aziz Ahmed, is working with a team led by Texas-based social enterprise re:3D. The cross-disciplinary team also includes researchers from Austin Habitat for Humanity, The University of Texas at Austin, and Western Sydney University.
The project, titled Designing for Circular Economics: Creating Impact from Local Plastic Waste Using Off-Grid Containerized 3D Printers and Practice Based Learning, has been funded under the National Science Foundation’s Convergence Accelerator Program Track I: Sustainable Materials for Global Challenges.
As part of the project, the UOW team will focus on the design of a scalable and accessible, net-zero-footprint 3D printing-based manufacturing system that is comfortable to work with, can be moved easily between construction sites, and enables lay users to design and manufacture goods from plastic waste onsite. The end product is furnished homes that are sustainable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing, with a significant socio-economic impact.
The design, which will be guided by the requirements of Habitat for Humanity, will be deployable around the world, and completely open source.
Dr. Aziz Ahmed said that the project “leverages re:3D’s expertise in 3D printing directly from plastic waste, Habitat for Humanity’s desire to scale demand for customized 3D-printed home goods made from plastic trash, The University of Texas at Austin’s expertise in engineering design, sustainability, and Life Cycle Analysis, UOW’s expertise in the built environment, and Western Sydney University’s experience in the materials science of 3D printing with recyclables.”
“Imagine a world that supports the sustainable manufacturing of furnished homes using local plastic waste, while not only diverting garbage from landfills but also creating jobs and training under-represented talent. What if this opportunity could be scaled globally in both rural and urban areas in a modular package?” said Dr. Aziz Ahmed. “I am very excited for the opportunity to work on such a visionary project, and even more so as it is under the umbrella of National Science Foundation’s Convergence accelerator program, which aims to accelerate convergence research into application and commercialization.”
“As we all know, the problem of how to deal with the immense amount of plastic waste on this planet is both urgent and overwhelming. This novel research could have a significant role to play in helping the environment while creating a significant and positive social impact. Congratulations to Dr. Ahmed and the UOW team on their success in this prestigious round of international funding,” said Professor David Currow, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UOW.
