As people worldwide grapple with increasing waste, they become more interested in 3D printing with recycled plastic. Sometimes, that means processing the leftover pieces from projects and turning them into filaments. In other cases, they turn additional types of plastic waste into materials for printers, preventing it from accumulating in landfills.
Opportunities to pursue 3D printing with recycled plastic help people make more sustainable choices while dreaming up their creations. What are some of the most compelling ways to combine 3D printers and plastic waste?
1. Build a Pioneering Printer
Although many electronic devices arguably make lives easier, they also contribute to large quantities of e-waste. Mechanical engineering students at a Nigerian university dealt with that issue by including materials from discarded electronics in a carefully planned 3D printer that was the first of its kind made in their country.
The creation takes recycling to another level due to its compatibility with recycled plastic 3D printer filament. This machine also offers a customizable materials system for simple and complex projects.
Those involved with this printer also launched a public campaign to change people’s perceptions of plastic waste. First, the group wants to emphasize how reused plastics can positively contribute to society. Additionally, they hope to alter attitudes and behaviours concerning plastic use and disposal.
Part of the campaign involved going into schools and attempting to alter kids’ mindsets about plastics. The engineering students hope to get them thinking about plastic waste and their role in it while they are still young.
This example shows how some of the most creative ways to use plastic waste with 3D printers can go beyond production and encourage people to consider how their behaviours can increase or minimize what ends up in landfills.
2. Make Organizational Changes to Support Greener Methods
A closed-loop supply chain is one where products are recycled into new items or turned back into raw materials indefinitely rather than discarded at the end of their useful lives. There is abundant room to improve in this area since less than 9% of the world’s products are recycled. Leaders from many organizations are increasingly interested in these options, especially after seeing how such programs align with their sustainability goals. How could these initiatives result in more recycled plastic 3D printer filament?
One example comes from a university where multiple departments collaborated after recognizing the vast waste generated by people using 3D printers on campus. They were concerned by how nearly all the school’s disposed items and materials went elsewhere for recycling, increasing the total carbon emissions.
A multidepartment collaboration resulted in major changes that allowed filament recycling on campus instead of elsewhere. Those working on the project said the quality of the recycled material is slightly lower than if it were new. However, engineers are studying its mechanical properties to determine the most appropriate ways to use it.
People from other universities are also learning about the on-campus program, potentially inspiring them to create similar versions or send their materials to the existing setup. Not every school has the resources to swiftly create a closed-loop program as this one did. However, the next best thing is to consider following its lead as soon as feasible based on size, the amount of waste for processing and the budget.
3. Participate in a Dedicated Recycling Program
There are increased options for recycled plastic 3D printer filament, mainly since more companies offer it after executives responded to the demand for more sustainable products. However, interested parties in some parts of the world can go beyond merely purchasing those items. They can also take part in recycling programs that accept printer filament
People developed 3D printing as a manufacturing method in 1986, making it a more recent method than CNC machining, established several decades earlier. Although 3D printing is a newer option, individuals use it for various products. Since these creations generate waste, many who rely on this method have become increasingly interested in reducing their environmental impacts. That can start at the project level by designing printed products that need fewer supports that will only be discarded after production.
Another option to reduce waste is for companies to create recycled plastic 3D printer filament, usually by first melting down the old product. Such programs are not quite as accessible as the curbside programs that many households know well. However, ongoing efforts have caused gradual improvements.
A 3D printing company in the United Kingdom recently launched such an option for PLA filament. Representatives clarified that although the U.K. has other printer filament recycling programs, this one is a cost-free solution for customers. Additionally, internal research suggested that most 3D printing operators do not recycle their filaments, and respondents cited prohibitively high costs as one of the main barriers.
The initiative promises 100% landfill diversion for the collected products. All the company’s customers who purchase a minimum stipulated amount of filament products can participate.
4. Look for Sustainable, Community-Level Recycling Programs
Another approach to recycling began as an Arizona pilot project. It involved three printers that rotated between various public locations, such as libraries and event venues. Anyone could use those machines for free, and the filament came from recycled products.
This effort introduced the public to 3D printing with recycled plastic, reinforcing the idea that some of the materials people ordinarily throw away could have second lives as printer filaments. The Arizona pilot involved working with a service provider that reduces CO2 emissions by up to 98% by turning end-of-life plastics into functional products.
However, embracing public programs is equally important, even when people’s 3D printing involvement occurs mainly as enthusiasts. Local authorities, manufacturers or those directly impacting the program’s delivery can see that people are genuinely interested in finding more sustainable methods. They will gladly use them when they’re widely available where they live or work.
3D Printing Can Become More Sustainable
People must work together to find scalable solutions that make 3D printing a greener activity that produces less waste. These four examples show plenty of exciting possibilities, which will likely increase as widespread developments and research continue.
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