Pilot program aims to divert plastic through 3D printing

QBE North America, New York City, has announced that the city of Surprise, Arizona, has been selected as the pilot site for an initiative aimed at helping cities and other sites reduce plastic waste.

The initiative, developed by United Kingdom-based company Automedi, was the winner of the 2022 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge, hosted by Boston-based Leading Cities in partnership with QBE North America. Automedi won City Solution of the Year, garnering a cash prize of $100,000 to fund the pilot project.

“The city of Surprise is honored to be chosen as the pilot site for Automedi's innovative plastic waste reduction solution, as our region is in need of forward-thinking recycling solutions,” Surprise Public Works Director Kristin Tytler says. “Like many cities and municipalities across the country, Surprise paused curbside recycling due to soaring costs and a decreased market for recyclables that left a high percentage in the landfill. After searching for more sustainable recycling solutions, the city is in the process of resuming curbside collection. Automedi’s pilot solution will be a great supplement to that and a unique way to showcase how plastic waste can be made into useful products.”

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Unlike conventional manufacturing and supply chains, Automedi uses localized 3D print vending technology to transform end-of-life plastic into functional products, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 98 percent. Through its user-friendly e-commerce platform, local businesses can place made-to-order product orders, contributing to a more sustainable future while supporting the local economy, according to the company.

“This collaboration with the city of Surprise presents an exciting opportunity for us to showcase our solution,” Automedi Managing Director Ethar Alali says. “We’re eager to partner with Surprise in this transformative journey, empowering change at the grassroots level and promoting a greener, more circular future.”

The pilot project will rotate three 3D printers in various community gathering places, such as libraries, schools and sports venues. The community will be able to print plastic products at no cost using plastic recyclables collected in the city.

“Because of the long-standing commitment QBE has demonstrated to improving urban resilience, this pilot project will serve as a first-of-its-kind deployment in the United States, ushering a new era of plastic recycling possibilities,” Leading Cities President and CEO Michael Lake says. “Shockingly and tragically, only about 9 percent of the world’s plastic is being recycled. Instead, much of it ends up in landfills or in our oceans.”

The city of Surprise understands there is an urgent need to address plastic waste issues, and this pilot program has the potential to reshape waste management practices both locally and globally. Surprise is committed to pioneering sustainable solutions like this one and intends to work with its smart city consortium partner, The Connective, to share results and best practices with neighboring municipalities, and to identify opportunities to scale this initiative throughout the region.

“We’re proud to be an integral part of this groundbreaking project with the city of Surprise and Automedi,” The Connective Managing Director Dean Duncan says. “The Connective’s commitment to driving innovation in smart regions aligns perfectly with the mission of this initiative. Together, we’re not only transforming plastic waste management locally but also paving the way for a more sustainable future across the entire Phoenix Metropolitan Area and beyond.”