Environmentally Safe Printing Materials  

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

I think you're in for some disappointment. PLA is "biodegradable" only under very specific conditions which require a commercial composting system. It is not biodegradable in most municipal systems. PETG can arguably be recycled more readily, even if not biodegradable. On its own, PLA might break down over decades or centuries. It's better than petroleum-based plastics, but not by much. From everything I've read, it's just as bad in terms of creating microplastics. PLA is plant-based, so at least the production is greener, but you're not going to win any environmental awards with a 3D printer. You can buy filament made from recycled plastics. There are some commercial recycling options that might be an overall win provided you live close by.

Check out BioPETG and RePLAy 3D for some filament options.

If nothing else, you can buy spool-less filament and locate some reusable spools to avoid tossing those. I'm disappointed to find most filament spools cannot be recycled.

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

Posted by: bobstro

I think you're in for some disappointment. PLA is "biodegradable" only under very specific conditions which require a commercial composting system. It is not biodegradable in most municipal systems. PETG can arguably be recycled more readily, even if not biodegradable. On its own, PLA might break down over decades or centuries. It's better than petroleum-based plastics, but not by much. From everything I've read, it's just as bad in terms of creating microplastics. PLA is plant-based, so at least the production is greener, but you're not going to win any environmental awards with a 3D printer. You can buy filament made from recycled plastics. There are some commercial recycling options that might be an overall win provided you live close by.

Check out BioPETG and RePLAy 3D for some filament options.

If nothing else, you can buy spool-less filament and locate some reusable spools to avoid tossing those. I'm disappointed to find most filament spools cannot be recycled.

Bobstro,

If it's any consolation I have seen that Inland uses no spool and boxes their filament.  Interesting at best.  Not even sure how good their filament is.  I just picked up some PVA (for supports).  I plan to use it once I get the MMU2 running.  We shall see.

RAH

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

@bobstro -  Thanks, will definitely will look into the BIO lines and spool-free, easy enough to build a winder  .. Understand the biodegradability issue with PLA and will do more research, had thought that compounds required for composting PLA were available in most soils.. more research required I see. Assume and all that .. Sheesh.. Seems that we just keep making things worse..

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

Yeah I was disappointed myself to learn the truths about PLA compared to claims about it being "green". For most people ABS is actually probably greener as it is easier to get recycled. 

Regardless of what you print with, make sure to keep your scraps and cast offs separated as most places that will deal with it require it be separated. 

Regarding Inland, I've been happy with their PLAs that I've used. Last I saw their master spools were only available in a couple of colors though. I just found Push Plastics which not only offers master spools for all their PLA, ABS, and PETG colors, but they come in a smaller size which is a better fit for my available storage and normal print style. I picked up a couple PLA spools and one PETG spool, but haven't tried them yet. 

Oh and if you are concerned about waste, do NOT consider a MMU. That thing loves to waste plastic!

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

@gnat - Found out about the waste separation here as well. Required to actually separate the printing refuse and pay to have it recycled, they pick it up in a special container once every couple of weeks, weigh it,  and you get a bill once a year. They categorize it as "Restmüll"  here.. Not allowed to put it in with the normal recyclable plastics. Tried that .. dutifully separated into its own container and received a warning ticket from the garbage police, at least they gave a warning first ..

Will definitely move to winding my own reels.. At least it is something that can be fairly easily done to reduce the waste..

Any recommendations on winders that are good?

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

You don't need to wind master spools (at least from reputable sources). You just have to have spools that will allow a side to be removed so you can slide the coil on and then remove the zip ties. Then it acts like a normal spool.

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

Filamentive do a range of Recycled PA and PETG products 

https://www.filamentive.com/
they also use cardboard reels... 

this may help with your concerns. 

regards Joan

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

Posted by: gary.s4

Hi,

I have sworn off PET and derivatives due to environmental concerns, sooner or later we have to deal with the plastic disaster we are living through or our kids and their kids will. Not a great legacy to leave.. 

In Europe, laws are beginning to appear trying to deal with this, no single usage plastic products, no plastic bags, plastic utensils, etc .. and I personally support these initiatives and hope to see more. Maybe, just maybe, we can begin to slow it down and eventually start to clean up our mess.

Currently I am printing with PLA and mixtures based on PLA but would like to find some materials that can handle the outdoors and other harsher environments, higher heat, etc..

Any thoughts or ideas? Any materials currently available that are bio-degradable and have minimal impact?

Regards

I print the part for high power rockets.  They have to be semi heat resistant to at least 110 degrees F or 43-44 degrees Celcius.   PLA is not an option because it becomes semi-solid of floppy at those temperatures.  PETG fits the spot for us.  Is there a better, more environmentally friendly option?  

I may have to try the Bio Filaments.  

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

Absolutely right. PLA is a Bio-degradable filament material you can easily use that.

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

I have tried Formfutura's Reform rPET and quite liked it, assuming you like black. BioPETG is also nice if a milky white translucency is acceptable. KVP's rPET is a lot of work to print with and jams frequently.

Filastruder's entire Veracity line is available in spool-less format and you actually save a few bucks buying it. They have PLA, PETG and ABS available. I don't think it's true Masterspool format, but it works well with eSun's reusable spools.

Get to know a small reseller involved in the 3D printing community. Some will de-spool filament for you if asked. 

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

I think 3D printer can be seen as "green". I like to repair stuff instead of buying it new. Before I had a 3D printer a broken plastic part was a bummer. I had to through the item away. With the 3D printer I can repair a lot more stuff and create stuff at home.

That means less shipping costs, less products throwing away, using the products longer. That's why I consider a 3D printer usage as environmental friendly (in my case) and used filament is being picked by it's properties. If Nylon is best for specific purpose, then I will use Nylon. If ABS, then ABS.

BTW: PLA for outside usage is not that bad like it sounds. If it's just decorative element, it will hold for couple years. Although you shouldn't place it on stone/metal which can get hotter then 70C in the sun. 🙂

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

Posted by: nikolai.r

I think 3D printer can be seen as "green". I like to repair stuff instead of buying it new. Before I had a 3D printer a broken plastic part was a bummer. I had to through the item away. With the 3D printer I can repair a lot more stuff and create stuff at home.

That means less shipping costs, less products throwing away, using the products longer. That's why I consider a 3D printer usage as environmental friendly (in my case) and used filament is being picked by it's properties. If Nylon is best for specific purpose, then I will use Nylon. If ABS, then ABS.

BTW: PLA for outside usage is not that bad like it sounds. If it's just decorative element, it will hold for couple years. Although you shouldn't place it on stone/metal which can get hotter then 70C in the sun. 🙂

The problem with PLA is it become flexible and fails in the sun.  I print fin cans for rockets that fly at or near Mach speed.  PETG can handle it in summer heat at 100 F.  PLA cannot.  I have many examples of failures.  

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

Posted by: bobstro

I have tried Formfutura's Reform rPET and quite liked it, assuming you like black. BioPETG is also nice if a milky white translucency is acceptable. KVP's rPET is a lot of work to print with and jams frequently.

Filastruder's entire Veracity line is available in spool-less format and you actually save a few bucks buying it. They have PLA, PETG and ABS available. I don't think it's true Masterspool format, but it works well with eSun's reusable spools.

Get to know a small reseller involved in the 3D printing community. Some will de-spool filament for you if asked. 

I will gibe them a try.  

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

Posted by: charles.h13

 I have many examples of failures.  

And I have many examples of success :-). Not everything is black and white. It highly depends on usage and location.

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

Technology is upgrading every day and I am sure soon we will work on 100% biodegradable filament.

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

Posted by: happyprinting3d

Technology is upgrading every day and I am sure soon we will work on 100% biodegradable filament.

And it will come on a non-recyclable spool wrapped in non-recyclable plastic in a box printed with toxic ink. 

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

Posted by: bobstro

Posted by: happyprinting3d

Technology is upgrading every day and I am sure soon we will work on 100% biodegradable filament.

And it will come on a non-recyclable spool wrapped in non-recyclable plastic in a box printed with toxic ink. 

LOL.  Crap.  I shot my coffee out my nose.  

It will probably also be toxic to some rare bird and cause whales to choke on the own Baleen.  

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

And don't forget to mention making the 100% biodegradable filament will kill 20 African elephants, 12 blue whales, and 38 dolphin and consume the power generated by 9 Chernobyl reactors over six days. 

RE: Environmentally Safe Printing Materials

Posted by: nikolai.r

Posted by: charles.h13

 I have many examples of failures.  

And I have many examples of success :-). Not everything is black and white. It highly depends on usage and location.

I think there is a huge difference between what we print.  I print rocket fins and nose cones to fly at 500-800 mph to 5-10K feet.  PLA just won’t hold up to those speeds and forces when hot.  I have flown PLA at 60 F and it works fine, but 100 F and if fails every time.