{"id":82135,"key":"Open_Source_Waste_Plastic_Granulator","title":"Open Source Waste Plastic Granulator","latest":{"id":1222952,"timestamp":"2026-01-08T21:34:27Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"{{MOST}}\n\n[[File:Osgran.png|thumb]]\n\n{{Publication data\n| type = Paper\n| cite-as = Arvind Ravindran, Sean Scsavnicki, Walker Nelson, Peter Gorecki, Jacob Franz, Shane Oberloier, Theresa K. Meyer, Andrew R. Barnard and Joshua M. Pearce. Open Source Waste Plastic Granulator. ''Technologies'' 2019, 7(4), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies7040074 [https://www.academia.edu/40616354/Open_Source_Waste_Plastic_Granulator open access]\n}}\n\n{{Project data\n| authors = Arvind Ravindran, Sean Scsavnicki, Walker Nelson, Peter Gorecki, Jacob Franz, Shane Oberloier, Theresa K. Meyer, Andrew R. Barnard, User:J.M.Pearce\n| status = Designed, Modelled, Prototyped, Verified\n| verified-by = MOST, [https://re3d.org/ re:3D]\n| links = https://www.academia.edu/40616354/Open_Source_Waste_Plastic_Granulator&#124, https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/7/4/74&#124\n| location = Michigan, USA\n}}\n\n{{Device data\n| design-files = https://osf.io/a2tk9/ OSF.io\n}}\n\nIn order to accelerate deployment of distributed recycling by providing low-cost feed stocks of granulated post-consumer waste plastic, this study analyzes an open source waste plastic granulator system. It is designed, built, and tested for its ability to convert post-consumer waste, 3D printed products and waste into polymer feedstock for recyclebots of fused particle/granule printers. The technical specifications of the device are quantified in terms of power consumption (380 to 404 W for PET and PLA, respectively) and particle size distribution. The open source device can be fabricated for less than $2000 USD in materials. The experimentally measured power use is only a minor contribution to the overall embodied energy of distributed recycling of waste plastic. The resultant plastic particle size distributions were found to be appropriate for use in both recyclebots and direct material extrusion 3D printers. Simple retrofits are shown to reduce sound levels during operation by 4dB-5dB for the vacuum. These results indicate that the open source waste plastic granulator is an appropriate technology for community, library, maker space, fab lab, or small business–based distributed recycling.\n\n* https://osf.io/a2tk9/\n\n{{Pearce publications notice}}\n\n== Keywords ==\n\n [[Circular economy]]; Distributed recycling; [[Energy conservation]]; Polymer recycling; [[Sustainable development]]; [[distributed manufacturing]]; [[life cycle analysis]]; [[recycling]]; [[recyclebot]]; [[3-D printing]]; [[Open source hardware]]; [[Open hardware]]; [[RepRap]]; Recycling; Polymers; Plastic; [[Recyclebot]]; Waste plastic; Composites; Polymer composites; Extruder; Upcycle; Materials science;additive manufacturing; distributed manufacturing; open-source; waste plastic; extruder; upcycle; granulator; shredder; fab lab; open-source; polymers; recycling; waste plastic; upcycle; circular economy\n\n{{MOST-recycle}}\n\n{{Page data\n| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0\n| keywords = Circular economy, Distributed recycling, Energy conservation, Polymer recycling, Sustainable development, distributed manufacturing, life cycle analysis, recyclebot, 3d printing, Open source hardware, RepRap, Recycling, Polymers, Plastic, Waste plastic, Composites, Polymer composites, Extruder, Upcycle, Materials science, additive manufacturing, granulator, shredder, fab lab, Energy efficiency\n| sdg = SDG09 Industry innovation and infrastructure, SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities\n| organizations = MOST, MTU\n| description = An open waste plastic granulator turns trash into filament feed. Appropedia covers blades, safety, and throughput targets.\n}}\n\n[[Category:Sustainable development]]\n[[Category:Distributed manufacturing]]\n[[Category:Life cycle analysis]]\n[[Category:Recyclebot]]\n[[Category:3d printing]]\n[[Category:Open source hardware]]\n[[Category:Materials science]]\n[[Category:Energy efficiency]]"}