- green-spots
- waste
- Taiwan
- Solar-Powered machine converts plastic waste Into tiles, Taiwan
Problems
As of 2022, the worldwide production of plastics has reached a staggering 400.3 million metric tons, according to Statista. As a result, plastic waste is often left unmanaged and ends up in rivers and oceans, threatening marine life and ecosystems. Plastic waste is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Millions of tons of plastic are produced, consumed, and discarded every year, creating massive pollution and waste. Taiwan alone produces 8.3 million tons of waste per year, of which only 55% is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, incinerators, or the ocean, causing environmental and health problems. Therefore, there is a need for a solution that can reduce plastic waste while also creating value from it. A solution that can transform plastic waste into useful products, such as building materials, that can benefit the local communities and the environment. A solution that can operate anywhere without relying on external power sources or transportation. A solution that can educate and inspire people to see plastic waste as a resource rather than a problem.
Solutions
How a Solar-Powered Machine Turns Trash into Treasure
Trashpresso is the brainchild of Miniwiz, a Taiwanese company that specializes in upcycling waste into innovative products. The company’s founder and CEO, Arthur Huang, is an emerging National Geographic explorer who believes that trash is the new currency of the future.Trashpresso consists of two units: a processing line unit and a solar panel unit. The processing line unit is where the magic happens. It can wash, shred, melt, and mold plastic waste and recovered fabrics into tiles that can be used for indoor and outdoor flooring. The solar panel unit provides renewable energy for the plant, removing dependence on an electricity grid. The recycling process is simple and efficient. First, a smart camera with artificial intelligence helps users sort their plastic waste into different categories, from colors to types. Then, the sorted plastic is shredded into flakes, washed, dried, and melted in a mold. Finally, a robotic arm transfers the mold into a heat press machine, where the plastic is shaped into tiles. According to Miniwiz, a tile can be produced with the equivalent of five plastic bottles, and the Trashpresso can produce around 10 square meters of tiles every 40 minutes. The tiles are durable, waterproof and fire-resistant, making them suitable for various applications. The best part is that Trashpresso minimizes the environmental footprint and gas emissions of the recycling process. The assorted plastics are only heated up to their exact softening temperature, and any volatile organic compounds are filtered to prevent going into the atmosphere. Moreover, the water used to clean the plastic is purified and circulated back into the process rather than thrown away. According to the founder, Trashpresso minimizes the air and water footprint to almost zero with just seven kilowatt-hours of power consumption. Not only does it convert waste on the spot, but it also serves as an educational tool in communities, inspiring consumers to bring in their plastic waste to produce unique, durable products to take home. Trashpresso is designed to be mobile and adaptable. It can be transported by truck on a 40-foot platform to remote and isolated locations, where plastic waste is often left unmanaged and ends up in rivers and oceans. Since its launch in 2017, Trashpresso has traveled to various places around the world, showcasing its potential and raising awareness about the global plastic waste crisis. By showing a beautiful product that can be created with relative ease, the company hopes to change attitudes towards waste.
Gallery
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Timelines
2022
Trashpresso was introduced to Thailand, where it collaborated with PTT Global Chemical, a leading petrochemical company, to hold the “Trashpresso | Funtastic Upcycling Plastics” activity. The machine provided a new experience by upcycling used plastics into various products, such as plant pots, decorative wall items, and coasters.
2021
Trashpresso won the World Design Impact Prize, which recognizes industrial design projects with a positive social, cultural, or environmental impact. The machine was praised for its innovative and scalable design and its educational and empowering role in communities.
2020
Trashpresso was exhibited at the World Expo 2020 in Dubai, where it demonstrated its potential and impact to a global audience. The machine also participated in various workshops and events to educate and inspire people about the circular economy and plastic waste management.
2018
Trashpresso was integrated into a pop-up store in Sardinia, where customers could pay using plastic waste instead of cash. The store offered products made from recycled materials, such as furniture, accessories and clothing.
2017
Trashpresso was launched by Miniwiz, a Taiwanese company that specializes in upcycling waste into innovative products. The machine was shipped to Yushu, a county on the Tibetan Plateau, where it helped build a school from local waste. The project was featured in Jackie Chan’s National Geographic documentary Green Heroes.