BENTU DESIGN 3D Prints Street Furniture Using Construction Waste

The construction industry is undoubtedly one of the world’s biggest generators of waste. Depending on the statistics and what is included in this waste, it is estimated that 2 to 3 billion tons are produced each year—accounting for 30 to 35% of all waste generated on Earth. Bricks, concrete, wood, rubble, plastic: the list goes on.

In response, BENTU DESIGN has decided to repurpose this waste with 3D printing. The idea is to transform it into a 3D-printable material to create street furniture. Called Inorganic Growth, the project has so far produced chairs and stools that are 3D-printed using 85% recycled waste.

Construction waste is gathered on site.

A Localized Workflow

Specifically, the Chinese studio collects construction waste from demolition sites in urban villages. The team will then crush, ground, and sort the material. This is done in a mobile processing unit set up directly on-site. The workflow is entirely localized, which reduces all transportation-related constraints and carbon emissions.