This Tuesday at Change, Matt Rogge will talk about 3D Printing as a Low Cost Method for Plastics Recycling. As the quantity of plastic produced globally continues to increase, the problem of what to do with waste plastic has become more pressing. This is especially true in areas of the world that are not equipped with solid waste management programs let alone recycling programs. Standard plastics processing techniques are mainly done on large industrial scale and are not practical for implementation in difficult to access, resource-limited areas of the world. Our group has been developing large and small format 3D printers as well as a low cost filament extruder as a means to recycle waste plastics into a variety of useful objects. We plan to begin setting up shops in resource-limited areas of the world that can build this equipment. The printers will be put to use producing items that address other pressing needs in areas such as water and sanitation. Composting latrines, drip irrigation components, and more will be produced from locally available waste plastic. Matt Rogge holds degrees in both chemistry and science education. He has worked as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer for over 5 years in Ghana and Panama. During this time he worked with communities in the area of water and sanitation. His work includes hand drilling of water wells, village level pump manufacture, and gravity flow water system design and construction. In the US, Matt has worked as a science teacher and is currently pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering with a focus in mechatronics. What: Matt Rogge on 3D Printing as a Low Cost Method for Plastics Recycling When: Tuesday, January 29th at 12 noon Where: The Allen Center, CSE 203