Resources

The resources section is about giving you the most important information you will need to start a recycling workspace. Either as an educational space or as a space to create your next recycled product.

Be sure to check back regularly as this page is constantly being updated by the Sustainable Design Studio team with new information.

Plastic 101

  • Assorted plastic and rubber debris on sandy ground, including bottle caps, small toys, broken pieces, and a toothbrush.

    Plastic Types

    Everything you need to know about the different types of plastics.

    Learn
  • A pile of crushed and discarded plastic bottles and cans of various colors and brands.

    Plastic Identification

    Everything you need to know about how to sort and identify different types of plastic.

    Learn
  • Plastic Identification Tool

    Plastic Identification Tool

    A simple 6 question quiz that will help you idenify between PET, HDPE, LDPE, PVC, PP and PS.

    Try It
  • Computer simulation showing heat distribution on eyeglasses with a small electronic component attached to the nose bridge.

    Melt Flow Index

    Unpacking the significance of a high melt flow index (MFI) when injection moulding recycled plastics.

    Learn
  • An assortment of colorful plastic cleaning bottles and containers on a white background.

    Our Top 5 Plastic Types

    A guide on our top 5 plastic types and why.

    Learn
  • Close-up of shredded black rubber or plastic material.

    Material Database

    All plastics are different, so we have started testing every plastic we come across. Very much a work in progress!

    Learn

Moulds & Product 101

  • 3D Printing vs Injection Moulding

    3D Printing vs Injection Moulding

    A full break down on the advantages and disadvantages of Injection Moulding when compared to 3D printing.

    Learn
  • A metallic chess clock with black and silver dials and four black blocks on a white background.

    Mould Use

    Everything you need to know about how to use our moulds and deal with common problems.

    Learn
  • A metal ruler on a pile of shredded black, yellow, green, white, and gray plastic scraps, with a metal caliper measuring a small drill bit.

    How To Inject PLA

    How to convert 3D printing waste into eco-friendly products with our injection mini

    Learn
  • 3D CAD model of a rectangular box with a circular medallion on top displaying the number 7 and the word 'st'.

    How to Design a 3D Printed Insert

    A guid on how to design a 3D printable mould insert for your product using Fusion 360.

    Learn
  • Two metal wall brackets sit side by side on a wooden surface, with a small gray marble-looking boat figure in front.

    How to 3D Print FDM Moulds

    A guide on how to 3D print a mould using FDM printing and what you need to do it yourself.

    Learn
  • Gray silicone mold with a question mark shape, featuring a honeycomb pattern on the surface.

    How to 3D Print SLA Moulds

    A guide on how to 3D print a SLA mould, including what you need to purchase, and the full process of doing it yourself.

    Learn
  • A collection of various metal and plastic parts, including two aluminum dies with circular patterns, a blue whale-shaped tool, shell-shaped blue resin charms, a green turtle-shaped charm, and other assorted small objects, on a white surface.

    Good Product Design

    A comprehensive guide to what makes a good, and bad recycled product.

    Learn

Workshop Setup

  • Assorted hand tools on a concrete surface, including screwdrivers, a wrench, a hammer, Allen wrenches, a chisel, and hexagonal tiles.

    Basic Workshop Tools

    A list of basic workshop tools to ensure smooth operation and where to find them.

    Learn
  • A man wearing a protective face mask and a white protective suit, with a neutral background.

    Basic Personal Protective Equipment

    A list of all the recommended PPE and where to find them.

    Learn
  • A product cost calculator for a wireless charger from Sustainable Design Studio, including sections on assumptions, material, product cost, how-to instructions, and production batch labor time.

    Product Cost Calculator

    A tool to help you understand the cost of making different items from recycled plastics using our machines.

    Learn
  • Gray and black baseball cap with the logo of Sustainable Design Studio resting on a yellow workbench.

    Example Workspace Setups & Budgets

    A list of example workspace configurations and budgets required to set up.

    Learn
  • Yellow industrial injection mold machine inside a workshop with a sign on the wall reading "Sustainable Design Studio" and a circular arrow logo.

    Machine Guide

    A complete comparison guide of all our machines to help you decide which is best for your needs.

    Coming Soon

Recycled Filament

  • A clear plastic bottle with a blue cap, partially filled with a transparent liquid, set against a wooden background.

    PET Bottle Preperation

    A full guide on how to prepare your PET bottles before turning them into 3D printer filament.

    Learn
  • 3D printer extruding blue plastic filament into a circular object with ridges.

    Best 3D Printer Settings For rPET

    A complete on the best settings for 3D printing recycled PET made from plastic bottles.

    Learn

Specialist Product How To’s

  • Blue and orange sunglasses resting on a pile of dark, coiled wire.

    How to Make Sunglasses

    A complete step by step guide on how to make a pair of sunglasses from recycled plastic.

    Make
  • A black smartphone next to a marble-patterned wireless charging pad on a white surface.

    How to Make A Recycled Plastic Wireless Charger

    A complete step by step guide on how to create your own recycled plastic wireless phone charger.

    Make

Concepts & Ideas

  • Colorful miniature busts and replica arches for sale in a woodworking store, with price tags of 6 euros.

    Coliseum Collector

    A deep look into a great opporunity to create Smart Souvenirs from Street Waste

    Click Here
  • Relief Recycle Station

    Relief Recycle Station

    Exploring the possibility of Turning Aid Waste into Tools for Recovery

    Click Here

Case Studies

  • Colorful artistic objects arranged on various colored paper and boards, including a multi-colored comb and abstract marble patterns.

    Mull Club, UK

    A brief look at Mull Club, and what makes them so successful both in the UK and abroad.

    Click Here
  • Colorful, abstract metal art sculpture with diamond shape and circular cutout, suspended on wires.

    Sum Place, UK

    Explore a 250kg recycled plastic art installation composed of 2500 injection moulded fish, which are now permanently residing in North Shields Transport Hub.

    Click Here
  • Multiple marble-like ceramic sink basins in cardboard boxes with partially visible text, including 'HOTEL PIN' and 'studio 13'.

    EI Studio, Taiwan

    A overview of EI Studio, and how they take a Minimalistic appoach to design and recycling.

    Click Here
  • Person holding two colorful, heart-shaped objects made of plaster or similar material, with stacks of similar objects on a table in the background.

    Precious Plastic Gambia, The Gambia

    An exploration of Gambias first recycling project that actually recycles plastic into new products!

    Click Here
  • A man with a beard wearing dark sunglasses and a green jacket, sitting against a plain background.

    Pangea, Indonesia

    Looking to purchase recycled sunglasses made from mangrove waste? Pangea leads the way producing over 1500 pairs in the space of a few months.

    Coming Soon