Tech & Innovation

Vancouver Start-Up Turns Ocean Plastics Into 3D Printer Filament

Innovators are transforming waste into opportunity, launching a green solution that’s gaining traction among sustainable manufacturers.

Published March 24, 2025 | By Priya Chauhan

A Vancouver-based startup, OceanForm Labs, has introduced a revolutionary way to convert plastic waste harvested from coastal cleanups into usable 3D printer filament.

The company, founded by two former engineering students, collects marine debris from British Columbia's shoreline and processes it at a micro-facility in East Vancouver.

Their flagship product, AquaFil, is a recycled PLA blend that has already been adopted by several schools and maker communities for prototyping and design projects.

According to CEO Lila Mendoza, the idea was born from frustration over the limited markets for recovered ocean plastics. 'We knew recycling had to evolve beyond bottles and bags,' she said.

OceanForm uses a compact extrusion system that melts, filters, and spools plastic flakes on-site, reducing transportation emissions and increasing traceability.

The company partners with local volunteer groups, offering them a revenue-sharing model for every kilogram of collected waste that becomes usable filament.

Environmental groups have praised the initiative, noting that it bridges the gap between cleanup advocacy and practical circular economy solutions.

Challenges remain, especially around color consistency and batch variability, but Mendoza says early adopters have embraced the imperfections as 'part of the story.'

The start-up recently secured a federal innovation grant to expand its processing capabilities and launch a pilot program with public libraries in British Columbia.

With ocean plastic pollution reaching alarming levels globally, OceanForm hopes its localized, tech-driven approach can inspire similar models elsewhere. 'It’s not about perfection—it’s about momentum,' Mendoza said.