{ "moderation": "accepted", "total_views": 946, "total_downloads": 0, "title": "Wash Plastic: Washing Machine", "difficulty_level": "Hard", "mentions": [], "_created": "2020-01-06T17:00:22.033Z", "fileLink": "", "_contentModifiedTimestamp": "2023-06-14T11:02:20.181Z", "category": { "_id": "CrZjHORWfxEl6iDrrPIO", "_modified": "2022-09-18T08:51:47.196Z", "_deleted": false, "_created": "2022-09-18T08:51:47.196Z", "label": "Guides" }, "slug": "wash-plastic-washing-machine", "_modified": "2024-02-02T21:23:34.189Z", "creatorCountry": "pt", "_deleted": false, "votedUsefulBy": [ "adrivas", "wastedtreasure", "humasol", "sigolene", "caf-com-futuro", "cristina", "javiertecteos", "theowendorff", "chuwang-samuel-dido", "elo", "guille-staufert", "makerspace", "martin-lathuille", "momentus", "museum-of-solutions", "nicovaga", "precious-plastic-luebeck", "qbical-plastic-lab", "sergio-roberto-ricupero", "tonksi-" ], "_id": "KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3", "time": "< 1 week", "files": [], "cover_image": { "type": "image/jpeg", "name": "COVER.jpg.png", "fullPath": "uploads/v2_howtos/KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3/COVER.jpg.png", "downloadUrl": "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FKhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3%2FCOVER.jpg.png?alt=media&token=b90089ac-2028-48ee-b841-0a1816252e0f", "size": 162880, "updated": "2020-01-06T17:07:58.290Z", "contentType": "image/jpeg", "timeCreated": "2020-01-06T17:07:58.290Z" }, "tags": [ "washing", "research", "other machine", "collection" ], "description": "Different steps are necessary to make plastic clean. First is the prewashing after the plastic can be shredded, but it will still contain some oils, glue remains or even paper. To get rid of this we need water, soap, heat, and friction. Building a machine, which can do all of this takes time and costs a lot of money. So instead we are going to use a washing machine. It is accessible, cheap and integrates with a few modifications perfectly in an existing sand filter system.\n", "steps": [ { "_animationKey": "unique1", "caption": "", "images": [ { "type": "image/jpeg", "fullPath": "uploads/v2_howtos/KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3/STEP0.5.jpg.png", "size": 39543, "updated": "2020-01-06T16:59:54.424Z", "name": "STEP0.5.jpg.png", "downloadUrl": "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FKhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3%2FSTEP0.5.jpg.png?alt=media&token=01b1df96-bc95-41a9-a3c0-e93de3f526ac", "timeCreated": "2020-01-06T16:59:54.424Z", "contentType": "image/jpeg" } ], "text": "A washing machine offers a commonly available machine with functions we can make use of. It provides heated water, which helps to remove oils and dissolves many contaminants. It creates friction through spinning, which scrubs plastic against each other and takes of dirt. It has multiple flushing cycles to get out of the old water and centrifugation helps to dry the plastic. Though we need to shred the plastic before because unshredded plastic has a huge volume and a washing machine has only a little space.\n", "title": "Why a washing machine?" }, { "_animationKey": "unique2", "caption": "", "text": "For the washing machine, we are going to need:\n- a 120 liter HDPE barrel\n- a washing machine with a rather big drum capacity\n- a sand filter 👉 https://community.preciousplastic.com/how-to/wash-plastic-sand-filter-\n- 1” 24V solenoid valve\n- flexible pipes (also according to the sand filter)\n- relay 240V\n- 240V to 24VAC Trafo\n- 3 Switches\n- cables etc.\n", "images": [ { "updated": "2020-01-06T16:59:57.171Z", "size": 80290, "type": "image/jpeg", "timeCreated": "2020-01-06T16:59:57.171Z", "contentType": "image/jpeg", "name": "STEP1.png", "downloadUrl": "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FKhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3%2FSTEP1.png?alt=media&token=106292ba-0071-4e6c-9f5a-2961d6bb69a0", "fullPath": "uploads/v2_howtos/KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3/STEP1.png" } ], "title": "Get your materials" }, { "_animationKey": "unique3", "title": "Removing everything we don’t need", "caption": "", "images": [ { "downloadUrl": "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FKhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3%2FSTEP2.jpg?alt=media&token=1e8e41cd-2402-45a8-8f77-246c957f3fd8", "fullPath": "uploads/v2_howtos/KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3/STEP2.jpg", "size": 138272, "updated": "2020-01-06T16:59:59.864Z", "timeCreated": "2020-01-06T16:59:59.864Z", "name": "STEP2.jpg", "type": "image/jpeg", "contentType": "image/jpeg" } ], "text": "We pump water straight into the drum with our own pump, which means we will not need any of the mixers and can remove everything until the connection to the drum. The process depends on your machine but should be doable with basic tools.\n" }, { "images": [ { "updated": "2020-01-06T17:00:02.307Z", "size": 100365, "name": "STEP3.1.jpg", "fullPath": "uploads/v2_howtos/KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3/STEP3.1.jpg", "timeCreated": "2020-01-06T17:00:02.307Z", "contentType": "image/jpeg", "type": "image/jpeg", "downloadUrl": "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FKhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3%2FSTEP3.1.jpg?alt=media&token=d1fb85df-a88c-4412-981d-7b7c58e6ecda" } ], "title": "Modifications on the machine", "text": "After clearing up the machine, we can start with our modifications.\nFirst, attach the solenoid valve to the drum inlet and tighten it well. Here we will later connect the water pump.\nSecond, we need to connect to a signal from the machine to control when the pump will turn on and off, so it doesn’t have to run nonstop. In this case, we found the signal in a cable going to the machine’s small solenoid valve. Split the cable and connect your own.\n❗Careful here, this signal can be 220Volt! 💀\nNow we guide out the cables from the valve and signal so we can connect it later to our electronics box. Once that’s done we cut a hole in the lid of the machine and put it back on.\n", "_animationKey": "uniquezry8j" }, { "images": [ { "size": 59038, "type": "image/jpeg", "timeCreated": "2020-01-06T17:00:04.137Z", "name": "STEP4.jpg", "fullPath": "uploads/v2_howtos/KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3/STEP4.jpg", "updated": "2020-01-06T17:00:04.137Z", "contentType": "image/jpeg", "downloadUrl": "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FKhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3%2FSTEP4.jpg?alt=media&token=0a0b8036-21a6-4030-a3ad-5ba72c915f82" }, { "timeCreated": "2020-01-06T17:00:05.805Z", "size": 148495, "name": "STEP4.1.jpg", "type": "image/jpeg", "downloadUrl": "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FKhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3%2FSTEP4.1.jpg?alt=media&token=aaa67009-fd6e-4b86-9bb3-49288c72624d", "updated": "2020-01-06T17:00:05.805Z", "fullPath": "uploads/v2_howtos/KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3/STEP4.1.jpg", "contentType": "image/jpeg" } ], "title": "Electronics", "_animationKey": "uniquewrvud", "text": "This step is still under development and has to be taken fully on your own risk. In our case, it worked but the box would need a better layout design to make it safer. \nWhat we are doing is:\nThe main switch which turns on/off everything, this means we also lead the power cable from the washing machine into this box. We have a switch that changes the state of the pump between always on and on on-demand. When the pump turns on, also the solenoid valve needs to open, so we reach that with a 220V to 24VAC transformer, which also interacts with the relay. It doesn’t open when the pump is in the function always on. I also moved the electronics from the pump into my box, to keep everything together.\nIf you also have a Pre-Washing Station with a heated water barrel going, then you should also move the PID controller and a switch for it into this box. \n❗Again to emphasize, this is not a professional setup and you should act with care and knowledge. \n" }, { "text": "We use shreds in the washing machine because this way we can process way more material at the same time. But just putting the shredded plastic in the drum would result in blocked pumps and create chaos. So we experimented with bags. Our design is made of a strong polyester textile, with strongly reinforced stitches and a good quality zipper. We recommend making it rather long so it is easier to stuff it into the machine when filled with shreds. Also, we added a strong mash in the bag so dirt and small particles can leave, to reach a better result. ", "_animationKey": "uniqueveu4v4", "images": [ { "updated": "2020-01-06T17:00:09.022Z", "fullPath": "uploads/v2_howtos/KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3/STEP5.2.jpg", "downloadUrl": "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FKhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3%2FSTEP5.2.jpg?alt=media&token=c2707891-d591-4ac0-88a7-7fd34bf23cc6", "name": "STEP5.2.jpg", "type": "image/jpeg", "size": 168117, "timeCreated": "2020-01-06T17:00:09.022Z", "contentType": "image/jpeg" } ], "title": "The washing bag 1" }, { "text": "Our bag is designed so you can just hang it straight beneath your shredder and put it in the machine afterward. The zipper is zipped up into a little pocket so it doesn’t open up while washing.\n", "title": "The washing bag 2", "_animationKey": "uniquea21924", "images": [ { "name": "STEP5.4.jpg", "updated": "2020-01-06T17:00:12.220Z", "timeCreated": "2020-01-06T17:00:12.220Z", "type": "image/jpeg", "contentType": "image/jpeg", "fullPath": "uploads/v2_howtos/KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3/STEP5.4.jpg", "size": 154684, "downloadUrl": "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FKhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3%2FSTEP5.4.jpg?alt=media&token=a24a71c8-7d69-4be5-8885-cfc93e17f34f" } ] }, { "text": "Now you connect the machine with the sand filter and your barrel system. The machine has an inlet, where you connect the sand filter and an outlet which leads to the reservoir barrel, that’s it.\n", "_animationKey": "uniquej8i2j2", "title": "Put everything together", "images": [ { "fullPath": "uploads/v2_howtos/KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3/DSCF4779.jpg", "updated": "2020-01-06T17:00:14.936Z", "timeCreated": "2020-01-06T17:00:14.936Z", "type": "image/jpeg", "name": "DSCF4779.jpg", "size": 124809, "downloadUrl": "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FKhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3%2FDSCF4779.jpg?alt=media&token=4f3711e1-7d7f-4e68-865c-5908eb6b6add", "contentType": "image/jpeg" } ] }, { "title": "Run your washing system", "text": "Now fill the bag with pre-washed shreds and put it in the machine. We recommend adding a little bit of laundry detergent, which helps to remove the last bits of oil. The settings of the machine depend on the grade of contamination. Usually, we use the 40-degree quick wash program. Afterward, hang it up so the last bit of moisture can go away.", "_animationKey": "uniqueqpii1b", "images": [ { "updated": "2020-01-06T17:00:16.739Z", "type": "image/jpeg", "name": "STEP6.jpg.png", "fullPath": "uploads/v2_howtos/KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3/STEP6.jpg.png", "size": 58820, "timeCreated": "2020-01-06T17:00:16.739Z", "downloadUrl": "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FKhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3%2FSTEP6.jpg.png?alt=media&token=d8f42650-1507-4165-8315-e11c9b66215a", "contentType": "image/jpeg" }, { "name": "STEP5.1.jpg", "fullPath": "uploads/v2_howtos/KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3/STEP5.1.jpg", "type": "image/jpeg", "downloadUrl": "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FKhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3%2FSTEP5.1.jpg?alt=media&token=0e443ccb-0f7b-466e-9b94-b4c2919bc114", "contentType": "image/jpeg", "timeCreated": "2020-01-06T17:00:17.811Z", "updated": "2020-01-06T17:00:17.811Z", "size": 91655 } ] }, { "text": "Now you have your clean plastic and you can create some beautiful Precious Plastic products with it.\nThough as mentioned this is not finished development, but already works and can give you a good starting point. Feel free to test and modify and share back if you find other good solutions!\n❗Be extra careful with the electronics as everything runs on 220 Volts and you have to deal with a lot of water.❗\nBut if everything works you have a very efficient system to process large amounts of dirty plastic for your workspace.\n", "_animationKey": "uniquevtbql", "title": "Turn it into something new!", "images": [ { "size": 254441, "downloadUrl": "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FKhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3%2FDSC05508edit.jpg?alt=media&token=c00b1121-02b0-4b88-abaf-15ff44cdf6d7", "timeCreated": "2020-01-06T17:23:54.783Z", "fullPath": "uploads/v2_howtos/KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3/DSC05508edit.jpg", "name": "DSC05508edit.jpg", "type": "image/jpeg", "updated": "2020-01-06T17:23:54.783Z", "contentType": "image/jpeg" } ] } ], "id": "KhmnCJV9EUSLeNpwcJy3", "comments": [ { "_creatorId": "innoceana", "_created": "2022-01-19T20:50:52.123Z", "creatorName": "innoceana", "_id": "ozO0nANqcGzbSYfUG3Wu", "creatorCountry": "cr", "text": "Hi, just wondering if this needs to be a front load washing machine? What is the exact purpose of the sand filter and pumping in your own water? Why is a washing machine not enough?" }, { "creatorCountry": "", "_creatorId": "pex", "creatorName": "pex", "text": "Hello \nI am not sure to understand why there is a need for the Sand Filter and the pump, is that because you don't have an access to a source of water and a drain?", "_id": "f4TMamf2ZHSjb6z3J6wx", "_created": "2022-04-21T15:22:35.060Z" }, { "_created": "2022-07-05T13:10:00.829Z", "creatorCountry": "", "text": "Hey There. Know anyone who can make and sell these washing sacks your displaying. Then sending them to London?? Cheerrsss", "_id": "K6eNlijBEeWVQXmkbVJw", "creatorName": "elo", "_creatorId": "elo" }, { "creatorName": "precious-plastic", "_created": "2022-08-17T14:28:44.501Z", "creatorCountry": "pt", "text": "Hello all!\nTo answer your questions:\n1. Front load or top load washing machine? - both should work\n2. Sand filter / filtering system? - This is to reuse the water as much as possible before discharging and it can also hael to have better control of the microplastics that go into it (as we should avoid pollution with microplastic as much as possible). Washing plastic can easily take a lot of water which in many countries could pose a challenge (and in any way, it's goot to be mindful with this precious resource)\n3. Selling washing sacks? - Don't know, but maybe you can ask a local tailor? :)", "_id": "fxsnPYx4uMnsom4Dcuc4", "_creatorId": "DAohaToZaTceMO647ZAQyHL6eWD2" }, { "text": "Thanks for sharing! I'm writing from Brazil and I'm starting next year a workspace.\n\nDo you have any idea if this cleaning method could release BPA from some plastics? As far as I'm aware, BPA can be released when heating up plastic.", "_id": "Tlu0oxWU48RftITIvmz9", "creatorName": "caf-com-futuro", "creatorCountry": "br", "_created": "2022-11-30T12:49:36.321Z", "_creatorId": "caf-com-futuro" }, { "text": "Do you need inlaid water to keep this running, or do you fill up the barrel with water?", "creatorCountry": "no", "_id": "YobOwtnhSav8xZHZo9J1", "_created": "2023-01-29T11:23:13.082Z", "creatorName": "k_ing", "_creatorId": "k_ing" }, { "_created": "2023-02-17T18:45:48.856Z", "creatorCountry": "", "creatorName": "chlochlo", "text": "Hey ! the washing machine used is made for an electrical voltage of 240V ?", "_id": "Rjr3r3oHnvcFh592ZyJQ", "_creatorId": "chlochlo" }, { "_created": "2023-08-06T20:18:45.949Z", "text": "Hey, any way we could get a plumbing diagram/schematic for this system? I am trying to determine how to connect the prewash, sand filter, reservoir, and washing machine. \n\nAs far as I can tell, the sand filter pumps water to the washing machine and prewash barrel. But I am not sure how the water is pumped from the prewash to the reservoir or if the sandfilter can also pump to the reservoir. I would guess that the washing machine pumps out to the reservoir and the reservoir goes into the sand filter. Just a few missing pieces...\n\nAny thoughts? Thank you!", "creatorCountry": "us", "_creatorId": "theowendorff", "_id": "9Q2I3kEOdr9VCrRETbFi", "creatorName": "theowendorff" } ], "previousSlugs": [ "wash-plastic-washing-machine" ], "_createdBy": "precious-plastic", "user": { "moderation": "accepted", "_created": "2024-01-08T14:57:02.515Z", "_id": "precious-plastic", "_deleted": false, "subType": "mix", "type": "workspace", "location": { "lat": 38.96367454038249, "lng": -9.416871070861818 }, "_modified": "2024-01-08T14:57:02.515Z", "verified": true, "geo": { "latitude": 38.96367454038249, "lookupSource": "coordinates", "longitude": -9.416871070861818, "localityLanguageRequested": "en", "continent": "Europe", "continentCode": "EU", "countryName": "Portugal", "countryCode": "PT", "principalSubdivision": "Distrito de Lisboa", "principalSubdivisionCode": "PT-11", "city": "Mafra", "locality": "Ericeira", "postcode": "", "plusCode": "8CCGXH7M+F7", "localityInfo": { "administrative": [ { "name": "Portugal", "description": "country in Southwestern Europe", "isoName": "Portugal", "order": 3, "adminLevel": 2, "isoCode": "PT", "wikidataId": "Q45", "geonameId": 2264397 }, { "name": "Distrito de Lisboa", "description": "district in Portugal", "isoName": "Distrito de Lisboa", "order": 5, "adminLevel": 6, "isoCode": "PT-11", "wikidataId": "Q207199", "geonameId": 2267056 }, { "name": "Mafra", "description": "human settlement in Portugal", "order": 7, "adminLevel": 8, "wikidataId": "Q49286398", "geonameId": 2266865 }, { "name": "Mafra", "description": "municipality and town of Portugal", "order": 8, "adminLevel": 7, "wikidataId": "Q986419", "geonameId": 8010563 }, { "name": "Ericeira", "description": "town and civil parish in Mafra", "order": 9, "adminLevel": 8, "wikidataId": "Q1351868", "geonameId": 2268563 } ], "informative": [ { "name": "Europe", "description": "continent", "isoName": "Europe", "order": 1, "isoCode": "EU", "wikidataId": "Q46", "geonameId": 6255148 }, { "name": "Iberian Peninsula", "description": "peninsula located in the extreme southwest of Europe", "order": 2, "wikidataId": "Q12837", "geonameId": 2267430 }, { "name": "Europe/Lisbon", "description": "time zone", "order": 4 }, { "name": "Lisbon Region", "description": "NUTS 2 region of Portugal", "order": 6, "wikidataId": "Q27689" } ] } }, "data": { "urls": [ { "name": "Instagram", "url": "https://www.instagram.com/realpreciousplastic/" }, { "name": "Facebook", "url": "https://www.facebook.com/preciousplastic" }, { "name": "Youtube", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/onearmyvideos" }, { "name": "Website", "url": "https://www.patreon.com/one_army" }, { "name": "sponsor the work", "url": "https://www.patreon.com/one_army" } ], "description": "Precious Plastic exists to reduce plastic waste.\nSometimes we do it through boosting recycling. Sometimes through new biodegradable materials. Some other time by adopting zero waste lifestyles. Whatever works.\n\nOur solutions see people as the key element to fix the plastic mess.\nPrecious Plastic approaches count on people to bring about the necessary change.\nSmall steps, multiplied by millions. That's where we can win our battle.\n\nPrecious Plastic is a combination of people, machines, platforms and knowledge\nto create an alternative global recycling system.", "services": [ { "welding": false, "assembling": false, "machining": false, "electronics": false, "molds": false } ], "title": "Precious Plastic Headquarters", "images": [] }, "detail": { "services": [], "urls": [] } }, "images": [] }