Is 3D Printing Is Environmentally Friendly?

Most 3D printers use filament to make objects. Filament is like thick plastic thread. It’s even wrapped around a spool, like cotton thread.

- Tina LeBaron

The head of a 3D printer pulls in a strand of filament and heats it until it melts. Then melted filament comes out a nozzle. The nozzle moves and stacks the melted filament in layers. Each layer builds on top of the last one until the object is done. The heated filament binds together. At the same time, it cools so quickly that it holds its shape. This process is called additive manufacturing. It’s the most common type of consumer 3D printing.

But 3D printing isn’t as simple as hitting print and getting a finished object. Often the process creates plastic waste. Prints can fail in the middle of printing. Files set up incorrectly, machine glitches, and even bumping into the table can make prints look more like plastic spaghetti! And even successful prints might need extra pieces called supports. These are extra pieces that keep everything in place during printing. They have to be removed when the print is done.

Both failed prints and leftover supports make plastic scraps. Do these ever-present scraps contribute to plastic pollution? That depends. Some types of printing materials are better for the environment than others. And the way scraps are disposed of matters too.

What Type?

The two most common types of filament are ABS and PLA.

ABS, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is petroleum based. It’s made from oil, not a renewable resource. ABS won’t biodegrade, which means that living organisms won’t break it down completely. It will only break into smaller bits. These pieces are called microplastics. ABS is used to make strong plastic items, from Legos to keyboards. And anyone who has stepped on a Lego knows how durable ABS can be.