Our Story
How six high school students came together to tackle plastic waste
BottlePrint began as an entry to a high school entrepreneurship competition when our team of six students recognized the growing problem of plastic waste in our community. We were particularly concerned about single-use plastic bottles that often end up in landfills or oceans despite being recyclable.
Through research and experimentation, we discovered that PET plastic bottles could be transformed into 3D printing filament using a custom-built machine that cuts bottles into continuous ribbons. This approach maintains more of the plastic's structural integrity compared to traditional recycling methods that completely break down the material.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a sustainable, closed-loop recycling system that diverts plastic waste from landfills and oceans while providing high-quality materials for 3D printing enthusiasts, educators, and makers.
We believe that through innovation and education, we can inspire others to see waste not as a problem but as a resource waiting to be transformed. By involving schools and communities in our collection process, we aim to raise awareness about plastic waste and empower people to be part of the solution.
Current Status
We're currently in the development phase, building our bottle-to-filament machine using open-source designs and custom modifications. Our prototype is a work in progress, and we're documenting our journey on GitHub to encourage collaboration and improvement from the maker community.
While we haven't produced commercial-quality filament yet, our early tests show promise, and we're learning and iterating with each prototype. We're excited to share our progress and welcome others to join us on this journey of innovation and environmental stewardship.