‘3D printing and distributed recycling

disrupting Samoa’s plastic waste stream.’

Lionel Taito-Matamua

MDI (VUW)

Renewing Materials

The Issue

“Recycling is a key focus for the Waste Management Division at SPREP

and we try and coordinate regionally with our colleagues in JICA on this

issue. Plastic is one of our most difficult recycling issues in the region

because it usually has no monetary value that would encourage its

recycling.”

-David Haynes, SPREP

Samoan Rubbish Collection – No recycling is separated and collected

A small part of Samoas largest landfill

Old HDPE plastic crates. Piled behind a Samoan Brewery

The only plastic collected on the Recycling Yard

Cultural Context

Fa’a Samoa-Betham explained the Samoan communal way of life as captured in the term “fa’a Samoa”: “In Samoan traditional society (…) the matai, village and whole community join in this on-going responsibility of learning and living as the young are instructed, directed and guided in cultural ways and values of respect and good relationships.” (Betham 2008) Samoa’s communal way of life is most evident during times of traditional events and covers different aspects of the Samoan culture including aiga (family), gaganaSamoa (Samoan language), Fa’a matai (chiefly hierarchy) and fa’alavelave(ceremonial and family obligations). (Fana'afi 1986) Extended family, friends, and local village neighbours help by sharing their time and expertise with the host family. The idea of coming together as one big family is found throughout Samoa. This concept of community is not dissimilar to online communities where users can share ideas, information and designs, freely available for others to use and modify to suit their purpose - such as thingiverse.com who facilitate CAD (computer-aided design) file sharing between users in a participatory design process. These communities -online communities and fa’a Samoa share similar characteristics, which can easily co-exist.

Traditional Inspiration – Different uses of the coconut tree

Samoan Artist Naomi Apelu – Recyling Plastic Bags making tradition woven objects

Mea Alofa-Mea alofa is the universal term that Samoans associate with gift giving.* Gifts are presented at any large family occasions such as weddings and funerals, including greeting visitors. Traditionally in Samoa, the customary items which were gifted (sua) were fine mats or long lengths of tapa cloth.* However, the old traditions are becoming harder to maintain due to lack of master weavers. The fine mats of today are no longer “fine” and have no function because most are too bulky to wear. (Schoeffel1999) This perceived loss of quality represents an opportunity to revisit the link between value and craft – not necessarily in the form of traditional craft but reinvigorated with digital craft.

Material Exploration

Ground up Recycled Computer keyboard (ABS plastic)

FilaBot Equiptment purchased for Material Exploration

(L) Twinscrew Extruder and Pelletizer ® Recycled 3D printing Filament made from HDPE Milk bottles

Design Research

Education-Schools in Samoa are an important link in developing a viable ecosystem of (re)making. While a digitally capable community is necessary to provide content – 3D digital files for artefacts and products, digital fabrication may in turn offer special opportunities for education in Samoa by supporting a cultural disposition towards kinaesthetic and tactile learning. (Faleolo 2013) This approach to learning has found a new ally in the emergence of the “Maker Movement” where “physical ‘making’ is the new frontier” and brings with it a “making based model of education”, which has far reaching implications for society. The maker movement is not just about making things, “it is about developing agency, starting with the physical world, through the use of platforms and technology that make it easier to connect, learn and collaborate.” (Deloitte 2014) In this respect the maker movement is not only aligned with modes of learning in Samoa, it is also connects to the concept of fa’a Samoa.

The Tourism Industry-At 20-25% of GDP Samoa’s economy is largely driven by tourism (NZMFAT 2013) and there is clear awareness of tourism’s importance to Samoa, including the need to maintain Samoa’s environmental heritage as a “green, clean and healthy island.” (Leo 2014) Typically tourism and cultural heritage are often closely linked, therefore the tourism industry could be an important conduit for digitally crafted products and artefacts that create compelling narratives and a greater awareness of the issue. 77732

Proposed Design Ideas (examples)

Recycled Filtration Bottle

Souvenir Concept – abstract Coconut

3D Printed recycled ABS plastic (Computer keyboards)

Gift and Giftbox (Souvenir)Mea alofa (‘Thing of Love’ aka ‘gifts’)

Fa’a Samoa (exchanging of gifts)

Digitally Scanning Turtle Skulls at Te Papa

Raising awareness and Context inspired (3D digital scanning and 3D printing)

Functioning object (Asi holder)Taro peeler (used everyday in the Samoan kitchen)

User defined Designs (parametric modelling)

Post Production

Traditional craft inspired Design