Recycled materials

People are becoming more aware of the value of sustainability in the world. Also, within the manufacturing industry companies are implementing more environmentally friendly methods like 3D printing. Over the years the demand for different kinds of filaments has risen, due to that the market has been stormed with all sorts of materials.

Buying recycled materials 3D printing

Currently there are plenty of recycled filaments on the market that you can buy for your 3D printer. For instance, rPLA, which is a recycled version of the well known PLA (PolyLactic Acid). Of course, there are a lot of other options you can choose from, the common ones are recycled versions of PLA and ABS but there are also rarer materials like ASA and HIPS. To make it easier we’ve created a table for you to compare the different options.

Compare eco-friendly filaments

Material	Properties	Sustainability
PLA	Easy to print, lower temperatures	Breaks down in years (10+)
PETG	Nice gloss finish, not hard to print	Can be made from recycled material PETG
PET	Same as PETG nice gloss but a little harder to print	Can be made from recycled material and objects like PET bottles
BioFusion	Nice shiny (metallic) looks, easy processability	100% recycleable
Greentec	Wood like finish, very good to print	Biodegradable according to DIN EN ISO 14855
Lignin	Natural and wood looks as finish, easy to print	Bio-material that’s common in nature

Why use recycled filaments for 3D printing?

If you’re already using a 3D printer to manufacture your products you are already contributing to a greener future. By using recycled filaments, you can reduce the environmental impact of 3D printing even further.

Creating new filament from your waste

Of course, we’re all trying to make a change for the better. But did you know that you can create your own recycled filaments? You can send your failed prints and other plastic waste to a recycling company. They can melt the plastic for you and turn it into rolls of filament. Or you can even buy your own “3D printer filament recycler”.