ReCreateIt Finds Its Home
ReCreateIt has been up and running at the Austin Habitat for Humanity ReStore for the past few months, and it’s been incredible to watch the project grow. What started as a bold idea is now a working system that turns everyday plastic containers into beautiful and functional home goods, made by and for the local community.
Inside The Gigalab
Our workspace known as the Gigalab is a fully equipped 3D printing lab inside a repurposed shipping container. Using the GigabotX printer, we turn recycled plastic into items like planters, vases, lampshades and decorative pieces all made on site with materials sourced from local waste.
What makes the GigabotX so special is that unlike most 3D printers, which use plastic filament, this one works with plastic waste in its raw form. We take clean, local plastic containers, shred them into small flakes, and then the GigabotX melts and extrudes these flakes to print objects layer by layer. This approach cuts out a lot of extra steps and waste, making the process more efficient and cost effective.
Thanks to this technology, we are able to produce unique items like planters, vases, lampshades, and other decorative home goods all right here in Austin. It’s a hands-on way to show how plastic that might have ended up in a landfill can be turned into something valuable and lasting.
Building Community Impact
We’ve been lucky to work with some amazing partners to bring ReCreateIt to life. Austin Habitat for Humanity has been with us from the start, helping with training, staffing, and making sure the project fits smoothly into daily life at the ReStore. Their support helps generate funding for affordable housing in Austin and gives team members a chance to learn new skills along the way.
We’re also proud to collaborate with Re3D, our technical partner with expertise in 3D printing. Their guidance has helped shape the tools and process behind the scenes and kept the project moving forward in exciting ways.
Measuring Progress
We are committed to keeping track of how much plastic we are reclaiming and reusing through this process. By collecting and measuring materials that would otherwise be discarded, we are building a better picture of what is possible. These impact updates will be shared here and on social media as the project continues to grow.
Collaboration That Makes It All Possible
In addition to Austin Habitat for Humanity and Re3D, ReCreateIt is supported by a group of outstanding academic and research institutions:
- Georgia Institute of Technology, focusing on polymer science and human-centered design
- The University of Texas at Austin, specializing in engineering design and life cycle analysis
- University of Wollongong Australia, contributing expertise in built environment performance and material analysis
- Western Sydney University, focusing on polymer science and engineering.
Each of these partners brings a unique perspective to the project, helping us explore better ways to work with recycled plastic and share what we learn with others.
This is just the beginning. The Gigalab is open and operating at the Ben White ReStore in Austin. Come visit us, see the process up close, and check out the pieces we are creating. You might just leave with something made from yesterday’s waste and ready to be part of your home.
