Workshop Setup:
Example Workspaces
A full guide on the best workshop setups for every budget!
Choosing the Right Recycling Setup for Your Needs.
Whether you're just exploring the world of recycling, aiming to educate students, transforming failed 3D prints into new products, or launching a business around recycled plastic—there's a perfect starting point for everyone.
This guide is built to help you understand the tools and setups that suit your goals, experience, and budget. We've outlined a range of kits tailored for different users, each designed to give you practical, scalable solutions to turn plastic waste into purposeful products.
Starter 3D Printing Setup
Entry-Level Recycling combined with 3D Printing
This setup is ideal for hobbyists, designers, makerspaces, and anyone curious about recycling their own plastic waste at home. It’s a great way to begin understanding the basics of plastic recycling and filament extrusion, all while staying on a modest budget. Specifically designed for recycling PET plastic bottles, this system allows users to shred and melt bottle plastic into usable filament for 3D printing small objects and prototypes.
The Starter Maker Pack is compact, low-cost, and highly accessible—even if you have no prior experience. It encourages experimentation and DIY learning. However, it’s worth noting that this setup isn't designed for large-scale production, and filament quality can vary depending on input consistency and processing conditions. It also focuses solely on PET plastics, so it's not suitable for other common types like HDPE or PLA.
Great for making: 3D Printed Objects
Budget: £450-750
Sustainable Design Studio Items
Additional Tools
Entry-Level 3D Printer – We recommend the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE for its affordability, reliability, and large online support community.
Heat Gun – For expanding PET bottles before
Small Bike Pump – For pressurising the plastic bottles.
Digital Calipers - For measuring bottle thickness
Recommended PPE
Safety Glasses – Protect your eyes.
Heat-Resistant Gloves – Handle hot parts safely.
Apron or Lab Coat – Protect your clothing.
Budget Injection Setup
Cheapest Entry into Injection Moulding
Perfect for individuals or startups looking to dip their toes into injection moulding without a large upfront investment, this setup includes the bare essentials to start producing quality items from recycled plastic. It’s a great entry point for testing product ideas, making prototypes, or running a small side hustle using recycled materials.
With a simple, Injection Mini and an affordable compressor, this setup is compact and efficient. Paired with our most budget-friendly premium mould, it enables users to get consistent results without breaking the bank. While it does require you to hand cut, or crush your plastics manually, it’s a fantastic option for workshops or makers exploring new possibilities with recycled plastic.
Great for making: Beads, Jewellery and Spinning tops
Budget: £1200-2000
Sustainable Design Studio Items
Additional Tools
Air Compressor – Required to power the injection machine.
Heat Gun – For prepping plastic and moulds.
Basic Hand Tools – Pliers, spanners, Allen keys.
Recommended PPE
Safety Glasses – Protect your eyes.
Heat-Resistant Gloves – Handle hot parts safely.
Respirator Mask - Extra protection against fumes.
Apron or Lab Coat – Protect your clothing
Educational Setup
For Schools and Community Workshops
This setup is perfect for schools, scout groups, makerspaces, and community organisations that want to integrate sustainability and recycling education into their programs. It focuses on teaching the principles of product design, environmental sustainability, and hands-on manufacturing through injection moulding. Students will not only learn the theory but also engage in real-world processes by shredding, melting, and moulding recycled plastics.
What makes this setup particularly impactful is its ability to inspire the next generation with hands-on STEM learning. Outputs like pens or keyrings can be taken home, reinforcing the educational experience. While it offers limited production capacity and requires supervision, its benefits in engagement and practical education are substantial.
Great for making: Plant Pots, Rulers & Wireless Phone Chargers
Budget: £2000-4500
Sustainable Design Studio Items
Additional Tools
Air Compressor – Required to power the injection machine.
Stackable Plastic Bins – For sorting shredded material and storing colours separately.
Heat Gun/Small oven – For prepping plastic and moulds.
Metal Table or Bench – Heat resistant workspace for using injection equipment.
Basic Hand Tools – Allen keys, pliers, spanners for machine setup.
Wall Posters / Lesson Packs – Visual learning aids and lesson structure.
Recommended PPE
Safety Glasses – Protect your eyes.
Heat-Resistant Gloves – Handle hot parts safely.
Respirator Mask - Extra protection against fumes.
Apron or Lab Coat – Protect your clothing.
Prototyper Setup
For Designers, Print Studios & Universities
This setup is designed for people already familiar with 3D printing who are ready to take their creativity to the next level. Whether you’re repurposing failed PLA prints, experimenting with small-batch manufacturing, or teaching design and sustainability in a university setting, this pack enables you to convert plastic waste into functional, sellable products using 3D-printed moulds and injection moulding techniques.
The Prototyper Pack supports low-volume production (up to 200 units), making it ideal for testing product-market fit or prototyping designs with repeatability. Its flexibility makes it a powerful asset in both professional and educational settings, offering practical, hands-on experience with circular manufacturing and product development workflows.
Great for making: Custom Products & Recycling PLA
Budget: £2000-4500
Sustainable Design Studio Items
Additional Tools
Air Compressor – Required to power the injection machine.
Stackable Plastic Bins – For sorting shredded material and storing colours separately.
Metal Table or Bench – Heat resistant workspace for using injection equipment.
Basic Hand Tools – Allen keys, pliers, spanners for machine setup.
Recommended PPE
Safety Glasses – Protect your eyes.
Heat-Resistant Gloves – Handle hot parts safely.
Respirator Mask - Extra protection against fumes.
Apron or Lab Coat – Protect your clothing.
Small Business Setup
For Startups Looking to Scale
Whether you have a new product you’d like to bring to market or you’re serious about tackling the plastic waste problem, this setup is designed as the next step for aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses ready to build a plastic recycling business from the ground up. It’s ideal for small businesses aiming for consistent quality and greater output across recycled plastic products. Compared to earlier setups, this pack focuses on boosting throughput by introducing multiple machines and larger-scale shredding capability.
Equipped with automated injection machines, industrial shredders, and custom moulds, this setup is the closest you’ll get to a mini manufacturing line. It enables you to offer branded, sellable products with professional finishes. While the setup requires a higher upfront investment and dedicated workshop space, the payoff is a scalable, robust system that can grow with your business.
Great for making: Unique Products, Big Impact, Profits.
Budget: £10,000+
Sustainable Design Studio Items
Additional Tools
Air Compressor – Required to power the injection machine.
Stackable Plastic Bins – For sorting shredded material and storing colours separately.
Metal Table or Bench – Heat resistant workspace for using injection equipment.
Basic Hand Tools – Allen keys, pliers, spanners for machine setup.
Recommended PPE
Safety Glasses – Protect your eyes.
Heat-Resistant Gloves – Handle hot parts safely.
Respirator Mask - Extra protection against fumes.
Apron or Lab Coat – Protect your clothing.
Ready to get started?
From schools inspiring the next generation, to print studios closing the loop on plastic waste, to entrepreneurs building a business from the ground up—our setups are designed to grow with your ambition.
Each one is backed by our hands-on support, quality equipment, and experience turning waste into opportunity. Whether you're ready to get started or just figuring out what's possible, we're here to help guide your journey.
Need help choosing? Drop us an email or book a free consultation.
Workshop Resources
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Basic Workshop Tools
A list of basic workshop tools to ensure smooth operation and where to find them.
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Basic Personal Protective Equipment
A list of all the recommended PPE and where to find them.
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Product Cost Calculator
A tool to help you understand the cost of making different items from recycled plastics using our machines.
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Example Workspace Setups & Budgets
A list of example workspace configurations and budgets required to set up.
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Machine Guide
A complete comparison guide of all our machines to help you decide which is best for your needs.
