3D printing plastic waste into new, useful objects

DW (English)

A young innovator in Senegal recycles plastic into 3D printer filament — making tools and garden gear, while promoting climate action and waste reduction.

Transcript

00:00On his way to work, François Mbeng finds a valuable resource on the street.

00:15François manages a makerspace in Dakar, which is open to everyone and equipped with a 3D printer.

00:22The bottles he just found on the street can be used to print new objects.

00:27But first, they need to be flattened out evenly with hot air, so they can be cut in smaller strips.

00:33And this is where the magic happens.

00:38This is a machine that allows us to transform water bottles into plastic filament.

00:42So, filament is the plastic used in 3D printers.

00:48Once there is enough thread, the printing can start.

00:51And in less than 10 minutes, this alphabet stencil template is ready.

01:03Apart from educational tools, François also prints practical items.

01:08For urban gardener Abdou Touré, he made pots for his plant nursery.

01:13You can see the results here.

01:18I don't have to buy trays anymore.

01:21Sometimes the bought trays are nice, but they break more easily.

01:25In the heat of the sun or just after a few months of use.

01:28François loves to share his expertise with others and shows a group of students more about the 3D printing with recycled bottles.

01:41It's a useful solution for eco-conscious DIY fans and makers.

01:46And François has big plans.

01:48My ambition is to have my own factory and to stop importing plastic objects from other countries.

01:59Often, these are products that we use and then throw back into nature, polluting it a lot.

02:06So we have to recycle more and offer specific solutions in certain areas,

02:10specifically in health, education and agriculture.

02:13It's in the field of education and agriculture.

02:14It's in the field of education and agriculture.

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