Poly-Chlor Plastic Industries Ltd.
45 Leeder Street V3K 3V5 Coquitlam, BC, Canada

While previous studies have found that adding plastics to concrete can weaken the material, exposing plastic to doses of gamma radiation makes the material’s crystalline structure change, resulting in a stronger, stiffer and tougher plastic. The researchers hypothesised that this could lead to a stronger final concrete material. They analysed their concrete samples with X-ray diffraction, backscattered electron microscopy and X-ray microtomography. The images revealed crystalline structures with more molecular connections that blocked pores within the concrete, making it denser and therefore stronger. The team found that substituting 1.5 per cent of concrete with irradiated plastic could significantly improve its strength.

Ecovative products...are grown from myceliumnetworks of fungal or mushroom roots. In nature, fungi break down waste, such as old leaves, dead plants, and pieces of wood, and use it to propagate. Ecovative harnesses this natural process and grows the mycelium into various shapes and structures, from pieces of furniture to packaging materials like MycoFoam, its trademarked Styrofoam substitute.

"Our designs are comfortable and, most importantly custom built for a fraction of the cost." A prosthetic hand, for example, will cost between $3,000-4000, while a 3D printed hand, made from recycled plastic, will cost around $200. So far, the team has created a prosthetic leg, finger and hand.

The city of Amsterdam has unveiled two 3D printed sofas, each made up of 3,000 plastic bags, as part of its new ‘Recycling Exhibition’. On display at the townhall last month, this one of a kind exhibition serves to showcase Amsterdam’s ongoing commitment towards building a more sustainable city, as well as highlighting the important role 3D printing plays in that effort.