Filamentive have been shortlisted for the 2023 Sustainability in Additive Manufacturing award by 3D Printing Industry.
The Sustainability in Additive Manufacturing category recognises additive manufacturing applications or processes that contribute to sustainability goals. A company, product, service, or application nominated for the Sustainability in Additive Manufacturing Award is striving to facilitate the preservation of resources and acting with due concern for the environment.
Sustainability is at the heart of the Filamentive business model and our ultimate mission is to reduce the environmental impact of 3D printing.
Recycled Materials for 3D Printing
Filamentive prioritise recycled materials for the manufacture of its 3D printing filament, reducing carbon emissions, using less energy, help divert waste from landfill, and conserve natural resources.
For transparency, Filamentive also publishes an ISO 14021 declaration which details recycled content per material.
UK-made, Recycled PLA Filament
In May 2023, Filamentive announced the release of Economy PLA – a UK-made, PLA 3D printing filament, featuring up to 99.99% recycled material.
Discarded PLA waste – that would otherwise be landfilled – has been sourced from a EU supplier then compounded and extruded in the UK. To enable easy end-user recycling, these new recycled PLA filament products also feature a 100% recyclable cardboard spool.
Post-industrial (pre-consumer) waste is material diverted from the waste stream during a manufacturing process. It is single-source waste – free of debris – mitigating the risk of contamination. Economy PLA Black features 95% recycled material and Economy PLA White is 99.99% recycled material.
Enabling End-user Recycling with Cardboard Spooling
Research suggests empty spools could account for 20% of 3D printing waste generated. Given that two-thirds of plastic filament spools are not being reused or recycled, this is a significant contributor to the growing problem of 3D printing waste.
To minimise waste sent to landfill and reduce reliance on hard-to-recycle plastic, Filamentive utilises 100% recyclable cardboard spools for all products up to and including 2.3 kg reel weight. Given cardboard is widely recycled in the UK, this ensures that 3D printing users can easily and simply recycle spools post-use.
Championing a Circular Economy in 3D Printing
With plastic waste an increasing problem in the 3D printing market, Filamentive feels a responsibility to both spotlight the environmental challenges and inform 3D printing operators about existing solutions.
Filamentive actively discusses the challenge of 3D printing waste recycling, highlighted the misleading biodegradability of PLA, explains methods of recycling PLA in the UK, as well as promoted sustainable solutions already in existence.
Support Filamentive for the Sustainability in AM Award
Filamentive is grateful to be nominated from a total of 60,000 nominations and is incredibly proud to be shortlisted alongside esteemed names in the industry such as Philips, Batchworks and Fishy Filaments.
If you feel we deserve your vote, please support us at this link.
Voting closes on 28 November 2023.