(All Image Courtesy of 3D Systems)

Musician, entrepreneur and chief creative officer of 3D Systems, will.i.am has collaborated with Coca-Cola to create a new technology piece that is a part of its Ekocycle brand initiative revolving around environmental sustainability and innovative recycling. Ekocycle was launched by Coca-Cola in 2012 in alliance with will.i.am revealed the ‘Ekocycle cube’ a 3D printer that uses post-consumer plastic to create a vivid designs.

will.i.am and Coca-cola collaborate to create Ekocycle cube 3D printer to recycle post-consumer plastic bottles

The Ekocycle cube 3D printer is a unique device that prints with filaments from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. Each Ekocycle cartridge is made from recycled 20 oz plastic containers and come in a color palette of red, black and natural. Each cartridge pops out about three plastic water bottles’ worth of material. The Ekocycle cube 3D printer ships with designs for rings, guitar picks, phone cases and many other items. It can print materials up to 6 inches cubed in size with a 70-micron resolution.

Ekocycle cube comes pre-loaded with 25 diverse design patterns that can be utilized to create every-day objects.

will.i.am describes that the aim of ekocycle is to ‘partner with the most influential brands around the world and use technology, art, style and inspiration to change an entire culture. we will make it cool to recycle, and we will make it cool to make products using recycled materials. this is the beginning of a more sustainable 3d-printed lifestyle. waste is only waste if we waste it.’

The Ekocycle Cube is sees itself as “not just another tool for making,” but as “a revolutionary tool for RE-making, and encourages and helps us to change the way we think about recycling by transforming post-consumer waste into new and beautiful objects,” as indicated by the  description to the printer below the YouTube launch video. The plug and play printer is available for $1,199 on 3D Systems online consumer hub  cubify, and will be shipped for those who ordered later this year.

3D Systems is now also collaborating with Hershey’s on a printer for chocolates.