Dr. Recare is a 3D printing robotic “doctor” designed with the mission of a superhero (or superhuman): it can supposedly easily, efficiently–and triumphantly once and for all?–clean up our beaches while we still enjoy the sand and waves. This machine works in a way that I would not have easily imagined would be efficient, and I have questions about cost. Dr. Recare cleans sand
Part of the reason we are in the position we are in regarding beach pollution is there has been massive oil spills and no efforts to support the clean-up from the front line plastics production side of the issue. (We can simply stop producing more trash.) Oil companies spill with little repercussions, humans litter, and beaches get junked: but what’s the actual expense, and is on-site recycling via 3D printing with the trash a solution?
For example, on Panama City Beach, Florida you see tons of trash on the beaches at Spring Break. This, and participants’ behavior, has caused locals to call for canceling Spring Break altogether — which is impossible to do. Now that we have located the problem of making clean up attractive with Dr. Recare’s help: maybe Spring Break beaches could showcase this as an educational tool, or a student volunteer opportunity, if it’s ever actually manufactured.
Highly trafficked beach locations also feature events like Pirates’ Day and many concerts. These are the days that public education is most possible for things like 3D printing. When I look at 3D printing projects, I want to see a holistic design effort that also views the environmental costs of actually making the machine itself. If it can be integrated into holistic public education and practical beach clean-up efforts, without being touted as the “answer”: I am all for it. Let’s get started yesterday! Let’s hear your thoughts on this concept. Discuss in the Dr. Recare forum thread on 3DPB.com.