The open makerspace for circular and sustainable plastic recycling in Hamburg
The OpenLab Circular Plastics is an open teaching and workshop environment for exploring sustainable urban production with a special focus on sustainable plastics recycling. We at insel e.V. have started the operation of the OpenLab in March 2023 and aim in particular to provide an open workshop environment with a view to promoting education in the MINT field for children, young people and adults.
Workshop environment
Usage for:
- Educational opportunities
- Decentralised production of vertical farms
- implementation of a sponge city/rainwater reclamation
- social-ecological transformation: climate impact adaptation in public space
- district-specific production: Workshop in the neighbourhood
- Improving the usability of open source machines for people with disabilities (human-machine interface)
- Sustainable plastic recycling for charitable purposes
- Furnishing of public space
- Upcycling practices (furniture, wax for centre panels from hobby beekeepers, textiles)
- Connecting digital and craft
Our workshop offers
Introduction to Plastic Recycling Processes (according to Precious Plastic)
Introduction to all Precious Plastic related machines (plastic scanner, shredder, sheet press, extrusion, injection for 6-10 participants:inside, duration: 1 day).
Electronics - Workshop
Mill & manufacture electronic kitchen scales from recycled plastic (6-10 participant:s, WS: 1 day)
Manufacturing a music box
Junk music box made of recycled plastic & rubbish (Raspi f. young people) (4-6 TN, WS: 1 day)
CNC Milling
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- Making a miniature raised bed from recycled plastic: milling/moulding & extruding incl. automatic watering, (4-6 TN, WS: 2 days).
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- Introduction to Maslow milling, incl. use of recycled plastic (e.g. sustainable stool / bird house / chopping board) (4-6 TN, WS: 1 day).
Lasercutting
Introduction to laser cutting, based on making a “bleating flower pot” (when thirsty) (4-6 TN, WS: 1 day).
CAD
Autocad Fusion 360° Train the Trainer CAD courses (every 2-3 months, approx. 4-8 TN, depending on prior knowledge, WS: 1 day).
Building a wind turbine yourself
Joint development of a wind turbine and subsequent construction of the prototype (approx. 6-8 participants, WS: 3 days)
Building a CO2-free charging station for the workspace
Powered by solar and/or wind energy, usable for mobile phones, laptops, small battery machines, etc. (approx. 5 TN, WS: 2 days)
Machine explanation box for the record press/shredder
Plastic box with buttons, each explaining a) what the machine does, b) how to use it and c) what to look out for. (4-6 participants, WS: 2 days).
Piezo-Floor-Energy
Generating energy by stepping on a plastic slab or similar - introduction & ideas on pie-zoelectricity on a small scale & in conjunction with recycled plastic. (4-6 TN, WS: 2 days).
Contact
If you are interested in one of the workshop formats or would like to learn more about them, please send us a short email or visit us directly on site at the OpenLab Circular Plastics:
Workshop address
Elbgaustraße 244, 22547 Hamburg-Lurup
(Bus stop „Vorhornweg“, Line 22, 284 and 392)
E-Mail: werkstatt@insel-ev.de
Phone: 040 – 380 38 36 – 244
