'Project RPSD,' or 'Project Recycled Plastics Skateboard Deck,' is a new initiative launched by Jason Knight for Earth Month. Knight is an industrial designer who has created the world's first manufacturing system that is capable of producing skateboard decks out of 100% recycled plastic. This innovation took Knight over seven years to develop. The most noteworthy part of Project RPSD is its skateboard deck mould, which has not previously existed.
As a part of Project RPSD, Knight will release the schematics for upcycling plastics into skateboards publicly. This information will be freely available and open-source as of April 22nd, 2022. Jason Knight documented his entire seven-year process, and all of this information will be released for others to follow. The Project RPSD website will have a download kit comprised of 3D models, engineering drawings, electronics schematics, written guides, instructional videos, material sheets, and technical data sheets publicly available for free.
Project RPSD has four main motivations and targets. It hopes to benefit the environment, increase social access to skateboarding, create sustainable jobs surrounding the skating sector, and characterize plastic as useful rather than simply waste.
Image Credit: Project RPSD
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Upcycling Plastics
- Companies can focus on developing upcycling techniques for plastic waste to create new products and reduce environmental impact.
- Open-source Manufacturing
- Open-source manufacturing can democratize production and create opportunities for innovation in industries such as sports equipment manufacturing.
- Sustainable Skateboarding
- Sustainability can become a key focus for companies in the skateboarding industry, leading to innovative products and reduced environmental impact.
Sectors Adopting This
- Sports Equipment Manufacturing
- The sports equipment industry can focus on upcycling materials and implementing sustainable manufacturing practices to reduce environmental impact.
- Recycling and Waste Management
- Companies in the recycling and waste management industry can develop new techniques for upcycling plastic waste into useful products and reduce environmental impact.
- Skateboarding
- The skateboarding industry can focus on sustainability and environmental impact, leading to innovative products and increased social access to the sport.
