What a Waste!
The struggle with printing mismanaged plastic waste data with eco-friendly material
[Project Brief]
This project is co-created by Maria Fang and Martin Romero. It combines three technologies – object-oriented programming, 3D modeling and digital fabrication – toward making an everyday data object.
The 3D printed models are trash bins with the information of the top 20 countries with mismanaged plastic waste. The depth of protrusions inside the bin reflects the percentage of mismanagement waste. The holes mapped in the ocean or near the coastlines are either the amount of plastic debris spotted in the area, retrieved from the sea floor, or from along the coastline.
The protrusions and holes of the bin are meant to cause inconvenience while disposing trash, so that it may prompt the user to think about the after life of the objects they throw away every day.
[Tools/Software]
Rhino, 3D Modeling (Martin)
Cartodb & Illustrator, Mapping & Visualization (Maria)
Data Used for Mapping
Recorded plastic waste picked up from locations all over the world.
Recorded plastic waste picked up from locations all over the world.
1st Prototype
We used the dataset above and created a 3D barchart in Rhino using Rhino.Python. We then imported the Rhino file into Processing(yellow blocks) to see how we can manipulate the barchart and make it more interesting.
Once we settled on a form, we test printed a prototype with Makerbot to present for feedback.
We used the dataset above and created a 3D barchart in Rhino using Rhino.Python. We then imported the Rhino file into Processing(yellow blocks) to see how we can manipulate the barchart and make it more interesting.
Once we settled on a form, we test printed a prototype with Makerbot to present for feedback.
Brainstorm
Sketches from our brainstorming session. We decided to 3D print a waste bin, mapping the world map on top, and presenting where the plastic waste were found.
Top 10 countries and their Total % of Waste = The blocks protruding towards the inside are mapped on the country itself.
Marine found waste = Holes in the bin that represent where is was found in the ocean.
Sketches from our brainstorming session. We decided to 3D print a waste bin, mapping the world map on top, and presenting where the plastic waste were found.
Top 10 countries and their Total % of Waste = The blocks protruding towards the inside are mapped on the country itself.
Marine found waste = Holes in the bin that represent where is was found in the ocean.
Data Visualization
To prepare for mapping the world map and data in Rhino, I used CartoDB to georeference the correct locations.
After exporting the file, I threw it in Adobe Illustrator to visualize it.
To prepare for mapping the world map and data in Rhino, I used CartoDB to georeference the correct locations.
After exporting the file, I threw it in Adobe Illustrator to visualize it.
3D Modeling
Mapping the data into 3D forms
Mapping the data into 3D forms
[Project Development]
The original and most sensible idea was to print in eco-friendly material. However, because of that, this project took a very interesting turn. BUT...
Eco-friendly 3D printing on a budget? NO WAY.
Options of eco-friendly 3D printing material are limited and simply unavailable at the Advanced Media Studio(AMS) at NYU, which is one of the top 3D printing studios in New York. Out-of-campus 3D printing studio recommendations were provided by AMS, and this is where the adventure started:
The deformed model (black bin) that also broke the 3D printing machine actually came out very beautifully.
The original and most sensible idea was to print in eco-friendly material. However, because of that, this project took a very interesting turn. BUT...
Eco-friendly 3D printing on a budget? NO WAY.
Options of eco-friendly 3D printing material are limited and simply unavailable at the Advanced Media Studio(AMS) at NYU, which is one of the top 3D printing studios in New York. Out-of-campus 3D printing studio recommendations were provided by AMS, and this is where the adventure started:
The deformed model (black bin) that also broke the 3D printing machine actually came out very beautifully.
[Result]
Instead of using eco-friendly material and due to the unfortunate failure of the first printer we printed in, we ended up with TWO models that were both printed in non-ecofriendly material. The unavailability and high cost of ecofriendly material reflects how consumers are given little choice and even discouraged while purchasing products that can reduce harm on the environment.
