Recycled PLA filament is a good option for 3D printing enthusiasts who want to reduce their environmental impact and save money. Recycled PLA filament is made from post-consumer or post-industrial waste materials that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerators. Recycling PLA filament can help conserve natural resources, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create a circular economy for 3D printing materials. However, recycled PLA filament also has some drawbacks, such as lower quality, limited availability, and potential contamination. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of recycled PLA filament, and how to choose the best recycled PLA filament for your 3D printing needs.
PLA, or polylactic acid, is one of the most popular and widely used 3D printer filaments. PLA is a biodegradable and compostable thermoplastic derived from renewable sources such as corn starch, sugarcane, or cassava. PLA has many advantages for 3D printing, such as:
Easy to print with low temperature and minimal warping
Compatible with most 3D printers and nozzles
Available in a wide range of colors and finishes
Odorless and non-toxic
Biodegradable and compostable under industrial conditions
However, PLA also has some disadvantages, such as:
Brittle and prone to cracking or breaking
Low heat resistance and UV stability
Not suitable for functional or outdoor applications
Not recyclable through conventional methods
Why Recycle PLA Filament?
Despite being biodegradable and compostable, PLA filament is not easy to dispose of in an environmentally friendly way. Most PLA filament cannot be recycled through curbside or municipal recycling programs, as it has a different melting point and chemical composition than other common plastics. Moreover, PLA filament can contaminate the recycling stream and reduce the quality of other recycled plastics. Therefore, most PLA filament ends up in landfills or incinerators, where it can take hundreds of years to degrade or release harmful emissions.
Recycling PLA filament can help solve this problem by turning waste PLA into new 3D printing material. Recycling PLA filament can offer several benefits, such as:
Reducing the amount of plastic waste and pollution
Conserving natural resources and energy
Lowering the cost of 3D printing material
Creating a circular economy for 3D printing materials
Supporting social and environmental causes
How to Recycle PLA Filament?
There are two main ways to recycle PLA filament: mechanical recycling and chemical recycling. Mechanical recycling involves shredding, washing, drying, and extruding waste PLA into new filament. Chemical recycling involves breaking down PLA into its monomers or oligomers using heat, pressure, or enzymes, and then repolymerizing them into new PLA. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, as shown in the table below:
Method
Advantages
Disadvantages
Mechanical recycling
– Simple and low-cost process – Retains most of the original properties of PLA – Can be done at home or by specialized companies
– Requires sorting and cleaning of waste PLA – May result in lower quality and performance of recycled PLA – May introduce impurities or contaminants into recycled PLA
Chemical recycling
– Produces high-quality and pure PLA – Can handle mixed and dirty waste PLA – Can recover the original monomers or oligomers of PLA
– Complex and high-cost process – Requires specialized equipment and facilities – May generate toxic by-products or waste
How to Choose Recycled PLA Filament?
If you want to use recycled PLA filament for your 3D printing projects, you need to consider several factors, such as:
Source: Recycled PLA filament can be made from post-consumer or post-industrial waste. Post-consumer waste is collected from end-users, such as households, schools, or businesses. Post-industrial waste is generated from manufacturing processes, such as scraps, trimmings, or rejects. Post-consumer waste is more diverse and difficult to sort and clean, while post-industrial waste is more homogeneous and consistent. Therefore, post-industrial waste may produce higher quality recycled PLA filament than post-consumer waste.
Quality: Recycled PLA filament may vary in quality depending on the recycling method, the source of waste PLA, and the quality control of the recycling company. Recycled PLA filament may have lower mechanical strength, thermal stability, dimensional accuracy, or color consistency than virgin PLA filament. Therefore, you need to check the specifications and reviews of the recycled PLA filament before buying it, and test it on a small scale before using it for large or complex prints.
Availability: Recycled PLA filament is not as widely available as virgin PLA filament, as there are fewer companies that produce and sell it. Moreover, recycled PLA filament may have limited color and finish options, as it depends on the availability and composition of waste PLA. Therefore, you may need to search online or contact local recycling companies to find recycled PLA filament that suits your needs and preferences.
Price: Recycled PLA filament may be cheaper than virgin PLA filament, as it uses waste materials that would otherwise be discarded. However, the price of recycled PLA filament may also depend on the supply and demand of waste PLA, the recycling method, and the quality of the recycled PLA filament. Therefore, you need to compare the prices and quality of different recycled PLA filament brands and products before buying them.
Sustainability: Recycled PLA filament is more sustainable than virgin PLA filament, as it reduces the environmental impact of 3D printing. However, recycled PLA filament is not completely eco-friendly, as it still consumes energy and resources, and may generate emissions or waste during the recycling process. Therefore, you need to look for recycled PLA filament that has a low carbon footprint, uses renewable energy, and follows ethical and social standards.
Recycled PLA filament is a good option for 3D printing enthusiasts who want to reduce their environmental impact and save money. Recycled PLA filament is made from waste PLA that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerators. Recycling PLA filament can help conserve natural resources, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create a circular economy for 3D printing materials. However, recycled PLA filament also has some drawbacks, such as lower quality, limited availability, and potential contamination. Therefore, you need to consider the source, quality, availability, price, and sustainability of recycled PLA filament before choosing it for your 3D printing needs.
