STEP 1: My Chosen Approach:
Generally: Engineering solutions turning post-consumer waste into new materials.
Specific Approach/Organization: Richlite, Trex, post-consumer recycling turned into building products.
Specific Approach/Organization: Richlite, Trex, post-consumer recycling turned into building products.
STEP 2: Research
What is the premise of Richlite or Trex? In essence, both Richlite and Trex are taking waste materials and transforming them into workable building materials with unique properties. Richlite is a composite of recycled paper and resin that can be used for everything from countertops to instrument fretboards. It comes in sheets and is more flexible than things like mdf. Trex is another composite made from waste sawdust and recycled plastic film. When melted together, they form a hard and durable material that can be used in place of timber for things like decking.
What are their scopes? Trex is widely used in exterior applications and Richlite has been featured in several magazines and newsletters, broadcasting its use especially as countertops for commercial use. What is Richlite’s mission? The mission of Richlite is to make a durable alternative to wood from recycled paper. They are devoted to decreasing the carbon footprint of building projects at the same time as increasing your material options. What is Trex’s Mission? Trex exists to take what was previously trash and turn it into a robust building material that is physically more capable in certain applications than traditional lumber, eco-friendly, and a novel solution to the waste problem. They recycle a piece of the plastic waste stream that was previously not widely recyclable. How effective are they? Results? Trex uses over 500 million pounds of plastic film each year. Each 16-foot board has the recycled material of 2250 bags. Trex never uses wood from standing trees, instead reclaiming sawdust from other lumber operations. Richlite is critically acclaimed for interior uses and uses primarily recycled paper, as well as a pulp from responsibly harvested trees. |
Trex decking
Richlite manufacturing
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STEP 3: My Analysis
WHAT I LOVE:
- I love the idea of utilizing things like plastic bags that are not conventionally recyclable.
- I like that both products are making unique products that are not just for the sake of recycling.
- I like the use of post-consumer recycling, but I am curious as to how they ensured a high level of purity.
LIMITATIONS:
- I feel like both of these operations are a little too far removed from the consumer. Not only does the material all have to travel long distances to and from their centers, but the effects are not always seen locally.
- Richlite is not 100% recycled material, as it does use tree cellulose.
- If it was more localized, you could make the materials based on user needs.
HOW I'LL APPLY to MY PROPOSAL?
- I will look at building a consumer-direct plastic recycling machine that takes the plastic waste generated at a school or residence and turns it into usable materials
- I will make it as customizable as possible, with many different mold dimensions, and also make it super easy to operate.
- This will make it possible for 100% of the plastic generated to be recycled, instead of the 8% average that it is now.
- I hope to make the machine itself out of as much post-consumer waste as possible.
- I love the idea of utilizing things like plastic bags that are not conventionally recyclable.
- I like that both products are making unique products that are not just for the sake of recycling.
- I like the use of post-consumer recycling, but I am curious as to how they ensured a high level of purity.
LIMITATIONS:
- I feel like both of these operations are a little too far removed from the consumer. Not only does the material all have to travel long distances to and from their centers, but the effects are not always seen locally.
- Richlite is not 100% recycled material, as it does use tree cellulose.
- If it was more localized, you could make the materials based on user needs.
HOW I'LL APPLY to MY PROPOSAL?
- I will look at building a consumer-direct plastic recycling machine that takes the plastic waste generated at a school or residence and turns it into usable materials
- I will make it as customizable as possible, with many different mold dimensions, and also make it super easy to operate.
- This will make it possible for 100% of the plastic generated to be recycled, instead of the 8% average that it is now.
- I hope to make the machine itself out of as much post-consumer waste as possible.