Plastic Fantastic Lab

A maker project focused on developing local recycling workshops in Kyiv and Chernihiv, inspired by the global Precious Plastic community.

The Goal

To establish sustainable workshops with a full plastic recycling cycle, promote a culture of conscious waste management, and strengthen the skills of students, makers, and young people in ecological design and engineering.

The Process
Plastic Fantastic Lab is an interdisciplinary maker initiative aimed at strengthening engineering, design, and artistic communities to tackle the global issue of plastic pollution through two local workshops in Chernihiv and Kyiv.

The project focuses on building infrastructure for plastic recycling based on open-source designs from Precious Plastic. Partner organizations adapted the open blueprints and built shredders, an extruder, and a heat press, enabling a full recycling cycle — from collection and shredding to production.

“The new direction on the ‘Ostriv’ platform started with a homemade 3D printer. It gave a powerful boost to recycling efforts and inspired us to apply for developing a dedicated workshop.”

Roman Sakh

Architect, co-founder of the NGO Scientific and Artistic Platform “Ostriv”

As part of the project, 20 hands-on workshops were held for students of technical disciplines and young people eager to grow in the fields of recycling and eco-making. Residents of the spaces worked on building tools, explored new technologies, and took part in internships at partner sites.

These educational workshops are envisioned to become full-fledged social enterprises aimed at tackling plastic pollution. Their services will range from crafted design products and practical goods to construction materials and custom-built equipment.

The “Makers Innovation Award” is organized by betterplace lab gGmbH and Future Challenges e.V. as part of #TOLOCAR, a project component of “Good Governance through GovTech and Transparency in Ukraine”, funded by the German Federal Government and implemented by GIZ in close cooperation with Ukrainian and international partners.

The Results
  • Ostriv_Lab / Materials was launched in Kyiv.
  • Two PRO-version Precious Plastic shredders were built.
  • An extruder was built for the Ostriv_Lab / Materials workshop in Kyiv.
  • A large thermo press was produced for the Plastic Fantastic workshop in Chernihiv.
  • Adapted open-source machine blueprints to fit the Ukrainian spare parts market and shared them publicly.
  • 20 hands-on recycling workshops were conducted.
  • Over 300 participants and volunteers were involved.

Supported by donors and partners

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