MATIÉRA, A COMPANY WHO WORKS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
What do an environmental consulting firm and a 3D printing waste recycling company have in common? A shared commitment to a healthier environment. We’d like to introduce you to Matiéra, a company that shares our values, even though its area of expertise is quite different from ours.
The idea for a company that recycles 3D printing waste was inspired by a YouTube video!
Mélanie Doucet in her workshop
Mélanie Doucet, a physic’s engineering graduate, has always been passionate about the environment. It would be surprising to see her buy anything that isn’t secondhand! After working as a biomedical engineer for four years, the idea of starting her own business stuck with her. Mélanie realised that the majority of plastic waste isn’t recycled in Canada [1], including 3D printing scraps [2] and saw an opportunity. So she packed her bags, moved, and began a plastic engineering program with a specific goal in mind: start her own business. The 3D printer became her primary tool, allowing her to create numerous objects from recycled raw materials. She took a leap of faith with Matiéra, and since then, her business grows.
Why 3D printing?
3D printing interest grows. This versatile technology can build a ton of plastic object. In particular, 3D printing can make shapes that are impossible using conventional molding. The only problem is that this approach inevitably leads to the production of more plastic, in addition to generating plastic waste. During the object construction, a portion of the plastic is only used to temporarily stabilize the structure. An example can be seen below.
This temporary support material, test printing objects, and defective final objects are all considered “waste” from 3D printing. In total, about 10% to 20% of the printing plastic is thrown away [3]. Matiéra recycles 100% of it and transforms it into new filament. Printing waste becomes raw material for other creations!
From waste to raw material
Matiéra currently has two drop-off locations where residents can dispose of their 3D printing plastic waste. The first is at the Fab-Lab at Cégep de Limoilou, and the second is at Collège Clarétain in Victoriaville. In addition, Matiéra has partnered with companies such as Laserax and Bliq Photonics. This is where the new life of this plastic waste begins.
Specifically, the plastic waste is sent from the drop-off points to the workshop. There, it is examined to separate any potential unwanted particles such as magnets, pins, screws, or any other metal elements. After sorting, the plastic is turned into pellets. In a machine similar to a hot glue gun, the pellets are melted, and a plastic filament emerges. We have our recycled raw material, ready to become a new object!
from pellets to filament
3D printing is very versatile, and everything can be customized!
Mélanie has created many objects using 3D printing waste. On her Facebook page are many examples of the versatility of her work: coasters featuring Quebec’s birds, a device to automatically shuffle playing cards, unique plant pots, unique inserts for more efficient board game storage, garden labels… The limit is our imagination!
With this idea of recycling 3D printing plastic waste, Matiéra helps improve our environment, just as T2 does in the field of ecology!
[1] Deloitte et Cheminfo Service Inc. (2019). Étude économique sur l’industrie, les marchés et les déchets du plastique au Canada – Rapport sommaire. Environnement et Changement Climatique Canada. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2019/eccc/En4-366-1-2019-fra.pdf
[2] Bac Impact. (2026). Mieux récupérer pour bien recycler. Bac impact. [Site web]. https://bacimpact.ca/mieux-recuperer-pour-bien-recycler
[3] Empreinte carbone. (2024). Impression 3D : impact environnemental important. Empreinte carbone / Article. [Site web]. https://empreinte-carbone.org/impression-3d-impact-environnemental-important/
Sentences in italic : Mélanie Doucet
Pictures : Mélanie Doucet
Schema : Audrey Thériault
