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UNSW SMaRT Centre's new Plastics Filament MICROfactorieTM Technology has featured in media coverage and at a special exhibit at the Australian Museum.
UNSW Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Attila Brungs officially opened the new MICROfactorieTM in Sydney's Lane Cove on Friday, operated by SMaRT's commercial partner, electronics waste recycler Renew IT.
See this ABC News TV interview and story:
Developed by and licensed to the UNSW Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre, the Plastics MICROfactorieTM module is the first commercial operation and use of the technology outside of the UNSW SMaRT Centre.
And as SMaRT's Head of MICROfactorieTM Technology Anirban Ghose says: "When I started as an intern back in 2015 working on making 3D printing filament from bits of e-waste, I had no idea what lay ahead. The idea felt ambitious — turning discarded plastic into something with purpose, the bold vision of transforming waste into value under the leadership of Professor Veena Sahajwalla."
James, Veena and Attila
See the Waste Management Review news story
See the UNSW SMaRT Centre announcement
And the SMaRT Centre team set up a stall at the Australian Museum to showcase how innovative waste solutions can drive sustainability as part of the transition to a circular economy. The event transformed the museum into a hub of climate action and sustainable solutions through knowledge-sharing.
It provided a valuable platform for showcasing SMaRT's work in supporting remanufacturing and circular economy principles, including a demononstration of 3D printers in action with filament remanufactured from e-waste at Renew IT's Plastics Filament MICROfactorie.
With several 3D printers running throughout the day, visitors saw firsthand how recovered materials could be transformed into functional and aesthetically pleasing products, such as lamp shades for lamps that had been salvaged by museum staff.
In addition to the live demonstrations, attendees were invited to engage in a hands-on activity using a handheld microscope to examine different waste materials and match them to scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. This interactive experience reinforced the idea that the materials in what is considered waste still hold value when processed correctly.
Engaging Conversations and Real-World Impact
Around 50 people stopped by the stall throughout the day, with many expressing interest in the work. Notable conversations included discussions with hobbyist 3D printers, some of whom were excited about the potential for using recycled filament in automotive part prototyping. They appreciated the remanufactured nature of the filament, especially given that prototyping often results in high material wastage.
Additionally, SMaRT Director Prof Veena participated in a "Inspiring Visions / Practical Solutions" panel discussion. The event brought together trailblazers in energy, engineering and environmental sustainability. It aimed to showcase innovative and practical climate technologies and initiatives helping to build a more sustainable future.
Building Awareness of Circular Economy Principles
SMaRT's participation at Climate Solutions Saturday reinforced a key Hub message: waste is a resource. By demonstrating practical applications of recycling and remanufacturing, the team showcased how discarded materials can have a second life, reducing landfill waste and encouraging a shift towards a circular economy.
The engagement and enthusiasm from attendees—whether sustainability advocates, industry professionals or casual visitors—highlight the growing interest in practical, scalable solutions to waste management. As the Hub continues its work, events like these play a crucial role in inspiring everyday Australians to rethink waste.
Renew IT Founder and CEO James Lancaster and UNSW SMaRT Centre Founder and Director, Professor Veena Sahajwalla.