Czech Company 3D-Prints 14-Meter Eiffel Tower Model Using Recycled Ocean Waste

A Czech company called 3DDen is 3D printing a 14-meter (46-foot) model of the Eiffel Tower using recycled ocean waste as the primary material. The model, made from the equivalent of 800,000 plastic bottles, will be installed at an Olympic festival in the north of the Czech Republic in July and August 2024, where the public can try different Olympic sports during the Paris Games.

The plastic waste used to create the 3D-printing filament was collected by Thai fishermen, sorted, cleaned, and processed by a Swiss and Czech company. 3DDen had to build a new printer to handle the material, which can crystallize and damage the printer. However, the recycled ocean waste filament is cheaper than traditional filaments and has excellent mechanical and chemical qualities, as well as great UV resistance.

Why this matters: The 3D-printed Eiffel Tower model highlights the problem of ocean pollution and demonstrates an innovative, environmentally-friendly approach to creating large structures. It serves as an example of how recycled materials can be repurposed into impressive works of art and engineering.

The two-tonne structure, fortified with steel rods, will be solid enough to hold a helicopter and will stand next to the Most lake in northern Czech Republic, which will host the Olympic festival from July 26 to August 11. Jan Hrebabecky, the owner of 3DDen, says the Eiffel Tower model is a step towards his dream of printing a whole house using the recycled ocean waste material. "The material is practically immortal," Hrebabecky noted, emphasizing its durability and potential for future projects.

The Czech Olympic Committee manager in charge of the event said the 3D-printed Eiffel Tower not only highlights the issue of ocean pollution but also showcases the company's environmentally-friendly approach to creating large-scale structures. The project demonstrates the potential for using recycled materials in innovative ways, paving the way for more sustainable construction and design practices in the future.

Key Takeaways

• Czech company 3DDen 3D-prints 14m Eiffel Tower from recycled ocean waste.
• Plastic waste collected by Thai fishermen, processed by Swiss and Czech firms.
• 2-tonne structure fortified with steel, can hold a helicopter, for Olympics.
• Highlights ocean pollution, showcases eco-friendly approach to large structures.
• Aims to inspire sustainable construction using recycled materials in the future.