Georgia Tech Launched New Plastic Recycling Lab
The campus facility features a machine that melts plastic waste into custom objects.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Materials Science
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Georgia Tech has officially opened the Trash Lab in Atlanta, a facility dedicated to transforming plastic waste into functional items. The lab utilizes a machine known as Trashpresso to process various plastics into customized molds.
Why it matters
The lab aims to encourage students and staff to explore innovative and sustainable methods for reusing waste materials. By turning discarded plastic into new goods, the university seeks to demonstrate practical circular economy solutions.
The Trash Lab utilizes the Trashpresso machine to mash mixed plastics into molds for items like building bricks and chargers. This process supports the recycling of up to 10,000 distinct items.
The players
Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech is a public research university located in Atlanta that focuses on science and technology education.
The details
The Trashpresso machine mashes mixed plastics together to form customized molds, allowing for the creation of new products such as phone chargers, pins, and building bricks. These processed plastic products can also be melted down and reformed into entirely new items repeatedly.
Timeline
The Trash Lab officially launched on September 28, 2026.
The Big Picture
This facility follows the research precedents established by the Georgia Tech School of Architecture. It marks a significant shift toward integrating material science breakthroughs into campus infrastructure.
The facility could eventually provide cheaper, sustainable building materials for campus construction projects. Its mobile expansion plans suggest that such recycling technology may soon be deployable in varied, off-site settings.
The takeaway
The Trash Lab proves that local institutional waste can be repurposed into valuable, functional architectural components. Students and researchers are encouraged to view plastic not as trash but as a reusable raw material for new designs.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Materials Science.
Live Poll
Do you believe local university recycling programs effectively address the broader issue of plastic waste?
