ENVIRONMENT

ASSOCIATIONS: 17 PRACTICES


TOPIC:

Initiative

Precious Plastic Lab

Precious Plastic Lab
SUBMITTED FROM:

Athens Makerspace AMKE

At Athens Makerspace through our space we aim to provide open access to a range of equipment, tools and workshops. 

Therefore, we work with people who are already engaged in or want to engage in traditional manufacturing methods (eg carpentry). But also in modern and emerging technology (such as 3D printing). In addition, we encourage collaboration and networking within an active community of makers. However, we applaud uniqueness and personal creation.

We support the philosophy of DIY (Do It Yourself) and DIT (Do It Together)!

Our vision is a society full of people who, in addition to consuming, can also create by building with their hands and making the most of the possibilities given to them by simple and digital tools.

Similarly, in cooperation with Athens Municipality, NGOs and foundations, we are having a substantial social impact on vulnerable social groups, such as unemployed individuals and refugees with the ReMakers Project and more. We strive to offer all the resources to cultivate one’s personal or professional skills, while creating a community of makers.



Objective Action

The purpose of  "Precious Plastic Lab" is to improve the quality the quality of recycling and reduce the use of plastics by properly informing the public.

One of its main objectives was the high-purity PET plastic collected in the alternative "Green Spots", while extensive research was carried out for its sale to the national recyclers ecosystem.

As part of the project, an alternative type of "Green Point" was constructed, consisting of 4 special designed bins, where it focused on the collection and sorting of plastics, as well as 4 Precious Plastic machines for the processing and conversion of plastics into useful products. SEKTOR30 participated in the design of bins, upcycled plastic objects and in the production of works of art from recycled plastic.

The actions of the project were implemented in two areas, in the Municipality of Elefsina as a parallel action in the Festival of Aeschylus and in Agios Dimitrios and specifically in the park Asyrmatos. With the 3 combination of the alternative type of green dot and the Precious Plastic machines, demonstrative actions were developed in the context of education and information of the public.

In the installation of the alternative  "Green Point" different categories of plastics were collected and separated with emphasis on the 3 plastic parts of a water bottle (cap, label, bottle), as well as the other types of recyclable materials. Precious Plastic machines were installed in the same area, which specialize in the processing of plastic waste in order to turn them into new products. There they were used to crush and reuse plastic water bottles and turn them into small souvenirs (keychains, hooks, coasters) for the participants. Attendees participated in the plastic sorting process and training activities for plastic recycling which took place in parallel.

The whole project is now an "open project", supported by Athens Makerspace for its implementation in new areas in Greece and is part of in the European community of Precious Plastic.

 

Target Audience

The project is for anyone that is interested in the environment, recycling and the circular economy.

 

Duration

The project started on 01/09/2020 and ended with a revised date 28/02/2022 due to delays that occurred due to Covid-19.


Description

Athens Makerspace started its involvement with the Precious Plastic Lab already in 2018. By gaining the appropriate experience in the field and the necessary know-how, the organization wanted to go one step further. The project funded with 48,000 euros from the Green Fund and the Ministry of Environment gave us the opportunity to make our vision possible.

Our goal was to be the first ones in Greece to manufacture the Precious Plastic machines of the V4 series, which would be used for the first time to build a bench, a geodetic dome and works of art from 100% recycled plastic that would be presented in the field.

Field and public awareness have been a primary goal for us as we firmly believe that only with the change of our behaviour real change can be occur. The actions took place in the Municipalities of Elefsina and Agios Dimitrios and a total of 512 people were informed.

The Alternative green point that was also presented in the field, is part of the Pet collection program, which is going to have multiple economic and environmental benefits for the Municipalities.


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Impact on Society

The results of the project were immediately visible such as the V4 series machines ,  1293 kg of plastic that were recycled, the quantities of water (490,974 L) and CO2 (7649 kg) that were saved, the 512 people that were trained and came in contact with Precious Plastic and field constructions (geodetic dome, bench, alternative green spot, works of art). Of course there are also long-term goals such as changing the behavior of adults and children who took part in the events, the use of machines by Sektor30 and Athens Makerspace the production of useful and artistic objects and of course the full instructions for the construction and the creation of new Precious Plastic points in Greece by other groups.



Initiative Location

The actions took place in 3 different places. Specifically, the Open Day Lab took place at the premises of Sektor30 in Neos Kosmos, while the field actions took place in the Municipalities of Elefsina and Agios Dimitrios, respectively.


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Working with Organization

During the project we worked very closely with Sektor30 a hive of art workshops that provide infrastructure, know-how and space to artists and other creators to produce new work, to experiment and to incorporate new materials and techniques into their practice. Specifically, we ran the Open Day Lab which was the open action of the program while they participated in the design of the bins, in the construction of the works of art and in the field actions.

Of course, we also worked closely with the Municipalities of Elefsina and Agios Dimitrios throughout the project for field actions. Without their input, field actions would certainly not have the same impact.


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Workers Participation

The project team consisted of the office team, (1) Project Officer, associatefor the supervision and coordination of the project as well as the implementation of some actions, (1) Communication officer, associate for the implementation of project communication actions and the composition of its deliverables, including the graphic design work, the laboratory team and associates for the development of Precious Plastic machines and the construction of the project, in particular: (1) Technical Officer, (1) Technician, (1) CNC Machinist, (1) Product designer and finally the field team that was in charge of the implementation of the field training actions and the upcycling demonstration actions, which will consist of (2) Field technician.

Of course, during the project, 2 volunteers participated who were present in all the activities and of course the artistic group of 3 people from Sektor 30.


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Benefits for Οrganization

The Athens Makerspace organization built the Precious Plastic V4 machines which have given new perspectives to the organization for creating and selling new products . Through this action the organization managed to get in touch with new people who learned about the organization and were informed about our actions. Through the project, in addition, we came closer with the Municipalities and our cooperation is sure to continue in the future on multiple levels, while our relations with the organization of Sektor 30 were strengthened.




Connection with Global Goals






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