28.10.2026
A new student project called “2 Life” has been launched at the Department of Computer-Integrated Technologies, Automation, Robotics, and Safety Engineering (CITARSE) at ϲ (Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics). The project is organized under the auspices of the department’s 3D Club. It was conceived and developed by Maksym Cherkashyn, a student from group CITPMm-25-1, under the academic supervision of Sofiia Khrustalova, an Associate Professor at the department.
The primary goal of this initiative is to give a “second life” to used plastic and to promote the 3R principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) among the student community. The project demonstrates the practical application of a circular economy, where waste is transformed into a valuable resource for 3D printing.
The creation of a new product follows a closed-loop cycle:
- sorting and cleaning used PET bottles;
- producing custom rPET filament using a specialized device (a Plastic Bottle Recycling Machine);
- designing and manufacturing functional household items and decorative objects.
Plastic pollution is one of the world’s most pressing issues: over 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the oceans annually, and PET bottles can take anywhere from 150 to 450 years to decompose.
Implementing plastic recycling at the university level yields a significant environmental impact:
- recycling 1 ton of PET plastic saves approximately 1.5 tons of oil and reduces emissions by 70% compared to the production of virgin (new) plastic.
- recycling just one bottle saves enough energy to power a light bulb for 6 hours.
The project team has set clear practical and educational goals:
- developing a custom-built system to extract filament from cut-up PET bottles;
- manufacturing useful components and interior decor items (such as organizers, planters, stands, and toolboxes);
- organizing a themed exhibition titled “2nd Life,” featuring 3D-printed exhibits and a charity auction to support the club’s activities and those of partner organizations;
- establishing partnerships with companies in the 3D technology sector, hosting workshops, and facilitating future employment opportunities for students.