Circular economy applied to plastic waste: redesign of a low-cost extruder

Abstract

There is a clear need to comply with the regulations and directives that are gradually being modified for everyone’s benefitl, in order to increase the life cycle of materials in general, and polymeric materials, in particular. The transformation of plastic materials is a technological field characterized by great dynamism and unbridled growth in recent decades, not only in terms of raw materials, but also in the equipment used, which is becoming increasingly efficient and sophisticated. In this line, the project MAlaga REaction Against Plastic (MAREA Plastic) arises with the aim of creating an environment and a social offer that helps educate citizens and raise awareness about recycling, based on the circular economy, that is, treating waste as a new raw material. Among others, the MAREA project proposes manufacturing objects and parts through plastic injection moulding and obtaining recycled filament for 3D printing, while offering the university community and, society in general, the opportunity to experience first-hand the process of converting plastic waste into new objects, providing a broad benefit from the action of recycling. More specifically, the work presented here proposes the redesign of an extruder by reusing parts and components already discarded, extending its useful life, reducing costs and offering many people the possibility to manufacture a solution themselves by applying the basic principles of circular economy.