We have successfully printed various products that are both high-quality and visually appealing. Our printing process produces a unique, layered texture with a smooth, semi-transparent, matte finish and soft, gradient colors. Because our goal is to work with plastic waste, we use materials that naturally shape the look of our products. These plastics do not produce ultra-fine layers, which gives each piece its characteristic ribbed texture, a distinctive detail that highlights both the material’s origin and the 3D printing process.
Colors from Recycled Materials
The colors of our products come entirely from the original materials. We do not use any additional dyes or colorants in the process. When the plastic waste is processed, we group it in similar hues and shades. Once granulated, it turns into colorful plastic flakes, ready for the Gigabot 3D printer. At first, we primarily worked with frosty, transparent, and black plastic waste. As the project evolved, we began experimenting with a wider range of colors, fine-tuning the Gigabot printer's settings to suit each new material. Along the way, we discovered that combining different colors can lead to unexpectedly stunning results. Sometimes a new shade of color, sometimes a cool gradient effect.
Collaborative Design Innovation
The design of our products comes from our research partner Dr. Carolyn Seepersad’s team at UT Austin and Georgia Tech. Dr. Seepersad’s team has been developing a design tool that allows people to customize certain parameters of a pre-made 3D printing design, such as scaling it up or down, adding surfaces, and adjusting shapes. The design tool has helped us make a variety of modern vases and planters.
Original Creations by Our Team
While experimenting with the design tool and customizing templates, our associates also took the opportunity to create original designs. They have successfully printed self-designed products such as scoopers, bonsai planters, and custom lampshades. Creating lampshades for donated lamps that didn’t have them has been especially fun. It gives the lamps a new life on the shelf and a chance to brighten someone’s home again, all while helping to reduce waste and pollution. Who would have thought that a high-tech 3D-printed plastic lampshade could look so great alongside a vintage lamp?
These products show how recycled plastic can take on new shapes and uses, from everyday home goods to one-of-a-kind pieces. And we’re just getting started!
