# Plastic-Repurposing Printers The Ekocycle Cube Uses Plastic Filaments to Print Things in 3D By Megan Facciuolo | Published 2014-06-20 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ekocycle-cube References: [uncrate](http://uncrate.com/stuff/ekocycle-cube-3d-printer/) & [cubify](http://www.cubify.com/en/Ekocycle?SSAID=314743) With [3D-printing on the rise](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multimaterial-3d-printer), Cubify decided to create a more economical approach to the new technology with the Ekocycle Cube 3D Printer. In a world where can now physically print almost any object imaginable, the printers raise the question: where do we get all of the filaments and resources for printing materials? The Ekocycle Cube uses [post-consumer PLA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adapte-collection), which is found in plastic cups and bottles, as a renewable resource to print with. You can create things like jewelry and [phone cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bambu-lab-h2d) in the comfort of your home out of everyday items that people just toss away. You can also design the object you want to print in the palm of you hand via the printer's coinciding smartphone app. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 79% | Activity: 95% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Sustainable 3D Printing:** Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Develop new methods of repurposing plastic waste into printable filaments, reducing environmental impact. - **Consumer-friendly 3D Printing:** Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Improve accessibility and ease-of-use of 3D printers, enabling individuals to create customized objects at home. - **Mobile-integrated 3D Printing:** Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Explore smartphone app integration with 3D printers, making designing and printing objects convenient and seamless. ### Where This Applies - **Waste Management:** Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Develop technologies to efficiently collect and repurpose plastic waste for use in 3D printing. - **Consumer Electronics:** Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Create consumer-focused 3D printers that enable individuals to produce personalized phone cases and accessories at home. - **Software Development:** Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Build intuitive smartphone apps that integrate with 3D printers, allowing users to easily design and print objects. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [3D-Printed Filament Makers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polyformer.md) - [Recycled Printing Powders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/atmix.md) - [Upcycled Building Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plaex-building-systems-inc.md) - [Fully Recyclable 3D-Printed Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biohome3d.md) - [Date Pit 3D-Printing Filaments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/repit.md) - [Chocolate Filament 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cocoa-press-3d-printer.md) - [3D-Printable Packaging Pastes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reishi-mushroom-printable-material.md) - [3D-Printed Recycled Misprint Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-new-raw-studio.md) - [Entry-Level 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kokoni-ec2.md)