Couple Recycle Plastic Into Prosthetic Limbs

Laura and Chris Moriarity are the epitomai of the power of making the world a better place by combing imagination, heart, dedication, and compassion.

While Chris was studying at the University of Illinois’ online iMBA program, he heard two stories that became the vision of what would become the for the “Million Waves Project”.

One of those stories was about 19-year-old in the Netherlands who invented the machine that scoops up garbage in the ocean; the other about people using 3-D printers to make prosthetic limbs.

He had no expertise in ocean pollution or making prosthetic limbs—but passionately believed he could combine “Two unacceptable global situations and offers a practical and sustainable solution” with a creative and compassionate solution.

Founded on Earth Day in April 2018 Chris and Laura founded the Million Waves Project, a charity that recycles ocean plastic into 3D-printed prosthetic limbs for needy people around the world. Moriarty bought a 3-D printer, asked his wife to help him set up a website, and then set out looking for people who needed prosthetics. His family began collecting plastic washed along the ocean shore in their hometown of Anacortes, WA. 38-year-old

Currently, the couple prepares the plastic by cutting it up by hand and feeding it into a paper shredder, and then a 3D-printer. After that, they use an app to connect with people who need prosthetics so they can design the gadget specifically to their measurements.

It takes about 30 plastic bottles and 20 hours to make one limb. The cheap materials mean that each prosthetic costs roughly $45, which the Moriaritys fund through donations, sponsorships, and selling keychains on the charity’s website. \ With 3-D printing technology and plenty of plastic floating around in the ocean, his mission is to bring that number to zero.

“Every year, 28-billion pounds of plastic ends up in our ocean AND Approximately 40 million people in the developing world are in need of prosthetic limbs yet only five percent have any prosthetic options

“We can all do something. That’s really the message and the heartbeat of the whole thing,” Million Waves Project

Watch an interview with the inspiring founders below.

This article was inspired by The Good News Network.

“From its beginnings, the website has been a clearinghouse for the gathering and dissemination of positive news stories from around the globe, confirming what people already know — that good news itself is not in short supply; the broadcasting of it is.”