With the expansion of 3D printing into the consumer and prototyping markets, an abundance of plastic-based filaments may be utilized in a waste-efficient way. Still, the increasing use of this technology may eventually place dangerous implications upon our environment if we are unable to construct high-quality, recyclable filaments. As plant-based and other recycled 3D printing materials gain traction, Fila-CYCLE has just launched a Kickstarter in an attempt to further their production of plastic-based filament sourced from top-notch recycled materials. Ranging from ABS, PET, HIP, and PLA, Fila-CYCLE is planning to utilize various types of environmental waste that us humans leave behind in order to keep our 3D printers fed in an environmentally conscious way.
The founder of Fila-CYCLE, Scott Knowles, and his UK-based team are utilizing automotive, commercial, and home electronic waste to create environmentally friendly plastic filaments. They have used yogurt pots and commercial left overs to create rPLA, automotive waste to make rABS, and clear bottles for rPET, among other things. The process has been a long but fruitful one, as the team has made it a point to take extra time testing each recycled material to ensure the highest quality possible. The utilized industrial waste is inspected to hunt for cleanliness and low-contaminant materials. The outcome of their meticulous process is six fully 100% recycled plastics, varying in black, white, and opaque color.
“With this new innovation comes new pressures on world resources such as oil and land,” said Knowles. “This is why we’re presenting to you a wide arrange of 100% recycled filaments, we’re looking to bring to you ABS, PET, HIPS, PLA, all recycled, all 100%.”
Although Fila-CYCLE has already successfully produced these six recycled filaments, they are asking for Kickstarter backing in order to help reduce production costs with purchasing bulk materials, keeping prices at an average standard, and, most importantly, helping recycle a little bit more of the world’s plastic waste. Fila-CYCLE will be offering different rewards for funding, including single spools of their various filaments and unique example prints from their rABS and rPLA. With a little under a month remaining on their Kickstarter clock, Knowles and his team are attempting to reach a goal of $23,133, which will hopefully turn this ‘artisan’ and specially made recycled filament into the industry standard. By keeping 3D innovation and quality assurance alive, while simultaneously acting as 3D printing’s very own Captain Planet, Fila-CYCLE is truly turning one humanity’s trash into its very own treasure.
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