UK’s first 3D print waste recycling scheme sets off
Filamentive, a UK-based 3D printing company, launched its free PLA 3D printing waste recycling scheme.
Filamentive launched its free PLA 3D printing waste recycling scheme. (Source: Filamentive)
Research indicated that up to 33% of 3D prints end up as waste, amounting to an estimated 400,000 kg of plastic waste annually in the UK alone from filament-based 3D printing. According to Filamentive, 70% of 3D printed operators do not recycle their waste, due to lack of recycling options and prohibitive costs.
With its UK partner 3D Printing Waste, Filamentive’s new recycling scheme offers free PLA waste recycling option. Once the recycling box is returned, 3D Printing Waste handles the entire waste management process, to recycle and upcycle the waste into new products.
Although there are existing solutions for 3D printing waste in the UK, Filamentive’s scheme offers cost-free recycling for PLA 3D printing waste.
“Yes, there’s a price to recycling this waste, but we see it as an investment to further enable sustainable 3D printing, rather than a cost – planet before profit,” said Ravi Toor, Managing Director of Filamentive.
The recycling scheme focuses exclusively on PLA waste only for now. Filamentive aims to enable the recycling of other 3D printing polymers in time. Through this scheme, the company aims to recycling one ton of 3D printing waste within 12 months.
