ReturnHacking PET waste: an alternative solution to the growing problem of plastic
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Colorado Convention Center, Bluebird Ballroom Lobby, Table 2
Participate and share: Poster 
Trips and ToursPresenters
Session description
Purpose & objective
Demonstrate the process of transforming PET bottles into filaments, from the collection and cleaning campaign to the production of filaments usable in 3D printing processes.
Present case studies and exemplify how schools can integrate this process into everyday life, promoting education in technologies, sustainability and creativity.
Highlight the importance of collaboration between the education sector and local organizations to implement projects that allow schools to be sustainable in their processes.
Provide resources so that schools and anyone can start their own project of transforming PET bottles into printing filaments.
Obtaining PET fibers from bottle recycling at Cumbres International School Lomas (CISL)
Construction of the recycling system to obtain fibers and filament
Making a self-sustaining process for 3D printing within CISL
Generate a replicable model for obtaining the input of 3D printing
Promote the culture of digital fabrication for the community and all audiences.
Outline
The 3D printing industry is undoubtedly experiencing rapid growth, with an expected market value of $83.9 billion in 2029, a significant jump from $18.33 million in 2022. However, this growth is accompanied by several challenges.
One promising solution to address these challenges is the fabrication of 3D printing filament from recycled PET plastic. This process involves a series of critical steps that require temperature control at various stages to ensure proper melting and extrusion.
That is why this project is entrusted with offering a sustainable approach and at the same time contributing exponentially to the reuse of plastic PET bottles. Let's firmly believe that presenting this project at the ISTE conference is an ideal means to share and enhance this innovative approach with the educational community and the general public.
Through an immersive experience, attendees will be able to observe, learn and become familiar with the construction process of the pet transformation station.
Supporting research
Manoj Nikam, Prasad Pawar, Ajinkya Patil, Anuj Patil, Kalpesh Mokal, Sandhya Jadhav,
Sustainable fabrication of 3D printing filament from recycled PET plastic,
Materials Today: Proceedings,
2023,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.08.205.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214785323044760)
Flórez, L. (2023)
ALPLA Una historia de éxito en circularidad de empaques, Tecnología del PLÁSTICO (Ed. 226),7-12.
https://www.plastico.com/es/revista-digital/alpla-una-historia-de-exito-en-la-circularidad-de-empaques
Session specifications
Facilitator
- Create learning opportunities that challenge students to use a design process and computational thinking to innovate and solve problems.
Knowledge Constructor
- Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and pursuing answers and solutions.
- Students develop, test and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process.