Shredderbot is designed to be inserted into waste stream of industrial and institutional processes by transforming the use and value of a waste material.

Andy Mosedale’s Shredderbot 2.0 is the latest prototype for an inexpensive, durable, reliable plastics shredder. With its compact, efficient design, Shredderbot is perfect for both industrial and consumer needs.  Shredderbot’s ability to efficiently break down plastics has innumerable applications, as the shredded plastic Shredderbot produces has innumerable uses and applications. To name a few:

• The plastic may be used in additive manufacturing processes (injection molding / 3D printing)

• It may serve as media substrate for biological plant growth in both homes and labs

• Insulation material

• Resin used to fix road erosion by acting as a binding site medium for filler particulates

• Added efficiency in recycling process at municipal level

In addition, Shredderbot may also serve several household uses. The first and most obvious application is that it would reduce the volume, and thus the necessary storage space, of plastic waste in the home. However, Shredderbot could also be reformed with existing technologies to allow consumers to fabricate products from the shredded plastic in their own home. Essentially, the consumer would be able to use the products from the Shredderbot as material for in-home 3D printing.  The volume of most plastic containers today is comprised of 95% air within the plastic shell, and Shredderbot’s designed purpose is to reduce that volume 60 to 75% by easily and efficiently shredding the plastic material. The potential consumer and industrial value of this technology—especially given the target price point—is quite high given the numerous applications.  A Shredderbot in the home reduces necessary storage space of recyclable materials, and 3D printing technology becomes more apparent in day to day households the raw material output from Shredderbot can be reformed with home technologies to fabricate objects at home. A Shredderbot at the municipal level could save an inestimable amount in money and energy for recycling processes.  Shredderbot has already come a long way since its first iteration, and the next step of the process is further research and development in order to refine its design and ensure greater reliability and efficiency.