In case you hadn’t heard, the bees are disappearing at an alarming rate! We’ve mentioned the impact that bees have on our ecosystem as a whole, but it’s an important topic that needs more attention. Without the bees, we wouldn’t have the food we need to survive. Thankfully, steps are being taken to protect bees and their colonies. One helpful new idea comes from Matilde Boelhouwer in Veghel, Netherlands. Using 3D printing, she’s created colorful and nutritious fake flowers to feed the bees—as well as other pollinating insects—and keep them pollinating! Check out the video to learn more about this creative solution.
Keep the buzz going and remember that you can also help the bees!
Would you put 3D printed flowers in your yard? Let us know in the comments! And remember, if you’re not a Norwex Movement member, we’d love for you to join us today! Together, we’re learning to reduce harmful chemicals in our homes through small, conscious choices that help our families and our world.Resources:
This is such a great idea!! We need more people like you !!
In my area, mites eat the hives during the winter. I don’t see the 3D flowers helping this problem.
How do we order these?
What would the 3D printed flowers be made of? If it’s a plastic composite then isn’t this counter productive for trying to reduce plastic in our environment. If they could be made from an environmentally friendly material then I think I would be much more likely to trial it. It’s a great idea for the bees but maybe long term sustainability needs to be factored in for materials.
Liz, thank you for your great question. We found this info on https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saving-the-bees “Matilde Boelhouwer’s colorful creations are made with screen-printed polyester. Each flower is a cluster of laser-cut petals and a small 3D-printed container that collects the water. The water is transported down the stem to another tank, filled with sugar. The two mix and afterward, the water is pumped back to the original collector where it does its part for saving the bees.” And an article at https://www.fastcompany.com/90267332/these-gorgeous-fake-flowers-are-an-oasis-for-tired-city-insects describes the process a bit more. “The polyester flower elements are first printed on a sheet, then cut in a laser printer and attached by metal pins to a hollow 3D-printed container–which is called a receptacle in real flowers. This container is connected to a hollow pedicel, or stalk, which becomes the stem. The stems are hollow too, connected to a base that is full of sugar. When it rains, the water is collected by the flowers’ receptacles and directed down to the base, where it mixes with the sugar. Then, the mixed solution is pumped up to the flower… Read more »
Amazing idea! Props to people like Matilde!
Amazing!!!!
is there a kit we can get?
thats nice
Id love to know where I could get these
How wonderful. I wonder if the polyester is made from recycled plastics? That would be helpful.