Potential for fair trade filament for 3D printing

In an analysis, researchers at Michigan State University USA show that turning waste plastic recycling into 3-D printer filament is technically viable, that the growth of 3-D printing provides a market demand for filament and the existing market for socially responsible goods can provide a similar impetus for ethical or fair trade filament.
Social enterprises already exist using this model and are expanding in the developing world.
The possibility of waste recovery for use in 3-D printing is applicable everywhere there are people using plastic, which is most of the regions on Earth that humans inhabit. An article about the research is published in the Journal of Sustainable Development.
Click here for the article (280 kB).
3D printing is one of the topics at the NVC General Meeting of Members on 27 November. You are welcome to join us!

This item is also included in our monthly overview, the NVC Members-only Update. If you have any questions, please contact us: info@nvc.nl, +31-(0)182-512411.