The fashion industry and the automotive industry are far and away the largest contributors to global microplastics. I’m not even sure if 3d printing people crack the top 100.
The majority of the 3d printed slop people see around is printed in PLA because it’s the cheapest and easiest to print typically. PLA will completely degrade in a few months in the correct conditions. At worst it will still break down after a few hundred years.
The more expensive and chemically complex filaments are a different story. The good news is that most people only print “useful” things with those more expensive materials. I have never seen anyone printing a Pikachu toothpaste poop dispenser out of carbon fiber reinforced nylon filament.
Of all the things to be worried about in terms of micro plastics 3d printing really shouldn’t bother you. There are many MANY much larger fish to fry in that department first.
The fashion industry and the automotive industry are far and away the largest contributors to global microplastics. I’m not even sure if 3d printing people crack the top 100.
The majority of the 3d printed slop people see around is printed in PLA because it’s the cheapest and easiest to print typically. PLA will completely degrade in a few months in the correct conditions. At worst it will still break down after a few hundred years.
The more expensive and chemically complex filaments are a different story. The good news is that most people only print “useful” things with those more expensive materials. I have never seen anyone printing a Pikachu toothpaste poop dispenser out of carbon fiber reinforced nylon filament.
Of all the things to be worried about in terms of micro plastics 3d printing really shouldn’t bother you. There are many MANY much larger fish to fry in that department first.