3D Printing and plastic waste

[Perpetual_Plast]

As an 3D Printing community we feel and see that almost anything is possible. And it’s true!

We do, however, use a lot of filament for our try-outs, successes and failures. Have you ever thought about the impact on the environment if we keep using virgin plastic filaments? What if we could really make a difference this time?

We can use plastic waste as raw material for our 3D prints? Perpetual Plastic Project (by Better Future Factory) was successfully launched during Lowlands one of the biggest Dutch festivals, in 2012. The installation allows people to recycle their festival cups and turn it into a festival worthy eye catching 3D printed ring.

Ever since we have been improving our machines and installation. Since then we’ve recycled all sorts of plastics (PLA, PS, LDPE, PA, PP, PET and even ABS), went all over Europe and even started producing fully recycled filaments for 3D printer enthusiasts alike. It’s time for us all to show what we are made of!

Got any questions, tips or curiosity, let us know!

[Alex3DHubs]

Cool initiative! What are some materials you’ve attempted to recycle and make filament out of that haven’t quite worked out?

[Bart_Bleijervel]

Hi Alex,

you can take a look on our blog where we made a post about which plastics were successfully recycled and the plastics that did not make it (yet). (http://www.perpetualplasticproject.com/blog/2014/5/30/plastics-recycled-for-3dprinting)

PET has given the most problems so far since it is a semi-cryistalline plastic. It needs to be recycled with more advanced machinery in order to be used again.