Founders of the Dutch company Upprinting Food, Elzelinde van Doleweerd and Vita Broeke, students of industrial design, reuse products that are usually thrown away. These products include tubers, vegetables, fruits, and bread.

In the Netherlands, a lot of bread is thrown. The 3D printer uses it to create edible forms.

“We also use a lot of fruits and vegetables,” says Van Dolwird. Too often, it falls into the bin because “it no longer looks good,” although it is still edible.

Using a 3D printer, students turn them into edible objects that can be used as decoration for dishes. Upprinting Food is now fully focused on restaurants.

Hotels, restaurants and caterers can rent or buy their own 3D printer. This will allow them to recycle their leftover food back into the food.

Last week, students gave a presentation to restaurant owners and other interested parties at the Hubble Community Café. The answer was very positive. Participants noted that a lot of food gets into the trash, although it can still be used in this way.

Upprinting Food's goal will be achieved when restaurants use a printer to make food decorations. “For us, the most important thing is for restaurants to see what they can do with their remaining food,” say resourceful students.

Designers look not only at the Netherlands, but also at other countries. We went to Beijing to attend Design Week. Then we worked with rice as a basis, because it is the largest residual product in this region, ”says Van Dolwird. “The restaurant owners also reacted enthusiastically.”

“People at home also need to carefully monitor how much food they throw away and what else they can do about it. Our 3D printers remind us of this, ”the developers conclude.

Video: Dutch students' 3D printer turns fruits and vegetables into edible decorations