# 227. She Sells Seashells… and Reinvents Recycling

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2025-08-26
- Length: 18m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-08-26-227-she-sells-seashells-and-reinvents-recycling
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/227-she-sells-seashells-and-reinvents-recycling-VeDvVpek

## Summary

The hosts discuss a Georgia Tech research team's biomimetic approach to recycling plastic, inspired by the brick-and-mortar structure of seashells. They explain how this method reduces variability in mechanical properties, making recycled high-density polyethylene and industrial stretch film competitive with virgin materials. The conversation also highlights Mogue AI, a startup using robotics and AI to disassemble e-waste, as a complementary technology in the recycling ecosystem.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-08-26-227-she-sells-seashells-and-reinvents-recycling#t=0) Introduction and Mouser Sponsor Read
- [2:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-08-26-227-she-sells-seashells-and-reinvents-recycling#t=146) Mogue AI and Robotic E-Waste Disassembly
- [4:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-08-26-227-she-sells-seashells-and-reinvents-recycling#t=261) The Problem with Recycled Plastic Performance
- [8:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-08-26-227-she-sells-seashells-and-reinvents-recycling#t=519) Georgia Tech's Seashell-Inspired Solution
- [13:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-08-26-227-she-sells-seashells-and-reinvents-recycling#t=796) Reducing Variability and Chemistry-Agnostic Recycling

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mouser Electronics (company)
- Mogue AI (company)
- ABB (company)
- Georgia Tech (company)
- Padnos (company)
- high density polyethylene (material)
- industrial stretch film (material)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S4E30 Dhruv Bhate | Engineering In India, Biomimicry, & Using White Papers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-08-11-s4e30-dhruv-bhate-engineering-in-india-biomimicry-using-white-papers) (Being an Engineer)
- [Ep 207: Modular Furniture, Plastic Prosthetics, and Your Data on YouTube](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-02-24-ep-207-modular-furniture-plastic-prosthetics-and-your-data-on-youtube) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Inside Glacier's Mission to Modernize Recycling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-26-inside-glaciers-mission-to-modernize-recycling) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Ep 175: Moonrocks and Cockroach Chyme, A Raspberry Pi iPad, and a Retro-Respectful Tape Deck](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-07-01-ep-175-moonrocks-and-cockroach-chyme-a-raspberry-pi-ipad-and-a-retro-respectful) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [281 - Google goes plastic free with their packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-08-27-281-google-goes-plastic-free-with-their-packaging) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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