While enjoying a simple lunch at Pierpont Commons on North Campus, Peter Fabe, a Ph.D. student in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan, found himself contemplating the potential of the compostable fork in his hand. This ordinary utensil could be the key to a sustainable revolution in 3D printing.
Peter Fabe is among the many students at the University of Michigan who have turned their sustainability ideas into actionable projects with the support of Michigan Dining. Since 2014, the university has become a testing ground for innovative sustainability solutions, allowing future leaders to experiment with and implement their concepts.
The realization came to Fabe during a meal when he envisioned a sustainable supply of 3D printing materials derived from compostable utensils. These utensils, often made from polylactic acid (PLA), bamboo, or Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper, could be repurposed for 3D printing.
Surprisingly, some plant-based utensils made from PLA are already in use in 3D printing. As Fabe explains, “Colors, dyes, and plasticizers in 3D printing PLA plastics can make composting difficult, even impossible, as industrial composting facilities will not accept them without compostability certification. However, PLA utensils from a certified compostable source are readily accepted by composting facilities and may just be able to be recycled into 3D printing material.”
The main challenge Fabe faced was establishing connections to give campus waste a new form and redirect it from landfills. Teaming up with Michigan Dining, he launched a pilot program in Fall 2024 to collect compostable utensils from around the campus and recycle them into 3D printing filament.
Transforming Ideas into Reality
The idea of repurposing compostable cutlery wasn’t new to Fabe, whose interest in 3D printing began nearly a decade ago when he and a childhood friend experimented with a new 3D printer. Despite their growing proficiency, the process generated considerable plastic waste, a problem that inspired Fabe’s future research and academic pursuits.
During his undergraduate years at the University of Dayton, Fabe founded an organization focused on 3D printing. There, he launched a recycling program to extend the life cycle of PLA plastics by collecting scraps for reuse. This experience paved the way for his discovery that compostable utensils could be a low-cost source of PLA for 3D printing.
Building Campus Partnerships
Upon his arrival at U-M in 2024 to pursue a Ph.D. in sustainable additive manufacturing, Fabe quickly recognized the potential to integrate his research with campus sustainability efforts. Alex Bryan, the director of Student Life Sustainability, took notice of Fabe’s funding application to the Student Sustainability Coalition, which led to an introduction to Keith Soster, Michigan Dining’s sustainability director.
Soster helped Fabe refine his proposal and identified resources such as funding opportunities and utensil collection sites. With the backing of the Planet Blue Sustainable Initiative Fund, Fabe acquired essential equipment for his project, including a grinder, an extrusion system, and a direct extrusion 3D printer.
The grant also supports a public art display outside Pierpont Commons, prompting students to rethink sustainability and the reuse of materials. Soster emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, stating, “While this project is still considered a pilot, discussions happen along the way to understand how this work might advance sustainability not only on our campus but also beyond the campus community.”
A Collaborative Effort
Fabe credits Michigan Dining’s involvement as pivotal, stating that the project would have remained merely an idea without their support. Staff members not only connected Fabe to crucial funding but also facilitated the collection and preparation of utensils for recycling.
The Fireside Cafe at Pierpont Commons became a key utensil collection site, with staff sorting and cleaning used utensils, making the recycling process more efficient. This collaboration allows Fabe to focus on transforming the utensils into 3D printing materials.
Impact and Future Directions
Michigan Dining’s sustainability initiatives, like trayless and Tapas-style dining, have already surpassed the campus goal of 40% waste diversion by 2025, achieving a 58% diversion rate. Fabe’s project contributes to this success by promoting innovative thinking and sustainability.
Fabe envisions expanding the project to include more extensive 3D printing applications, such as art installations and concrete molds, potentially reducing construction waste. He also hopes that by next winter, students in Mechanical Engineering 250 will gain hands-on experience with 3D printing, using materials sourced from campus dining.
“I hope my project inspires other students to think about how they can come up with sustainability solutions themselves,” Fabe expressed.
— Student Life Communications, Marketing & Design contributed to this report
