The environment is in serious trouble. It’s an unfortunate and troubling fact, and our own culpability in the destruction is hard for some people to face. On the brighter side, though, we’re finally starting to do something about it. Technology is presenting us with new alternatives to the unsustainable, damaging manufacturing processes and materials that we have depended on for so long. It’s been a slow process, with a great deal of resistance, but like any species, we must adapt in order to survive. That’s why it’s always heartening to see industries rewarding green technology, especially industries with a history of generating a lot of environmental damage, like the plastics industry. On October 9th, the United Kingdom’s Plastics Industry Awards rewarded a deserving young company for one of its applications of green technology to 3D printing.
3D Printed Bow Tie presented as a gift to Alan Davies, created from 100% recycled ABS (Black plastic from the automotive industry) and 100% recycled HIPS (white plastic from the home electronics industry)
In December of last year we wrote about the English company ObjectForm and its newly introduced line of recycled 3D printing filaments, Fila-Cycle. On October 9th, the company was presented the award for Best Recycled Product of the Year for their Fila-Cycle 100% recycled ABS 3D Printing Filament at the 2015 Plastics Industry Awards.
The Plastics Industry Awards were created in 2001 to acknowledge and reward innovation in the industry, and have been held in London every year since. Award categories include nods to the best uses of technology, the most effective business partnerships, and, encouragingly, the best green technologies. In addition to the Best Recycled Product of the Year award, an award was also given for Best Environmental or Energy Efficiency Programme of the Year; taking the honors was packaging company Logoplaste UK.
From left to right, actor and comedian Alan Davies, Scott Knowles (Co-Founder and Director of Objectform/Fila-cycle) and Anne Hitch (Finance and Communications Manager at RECOUP–Recycling of used plastics organisation)
For ObjectForm, which was created in April of last year, being recognized by such a prestigious organization at less than two years old was a huge honor.
“For me the win qualifies our position and thoughts of where we think 3D printing is heading,” said Scott Knowles, ObjectForm Co-Founder and Director. “I personally am proud to accept this award on behalf of the ObjectForm and the Fila-Cycle team. This is a win for the 3D printing industry and it is something we should all be proud of. To have our product be recognised by the plastics industry as the best recycled product of the year 2015 means we have finally arrived.”
ObjectForm has maintained a reputation for innovation with its focus on the development of new materials and methods in 3D printing. They also offer consulting services for 3D printing companies of any size, and emphasize green practices such as waste management, solar energy, and recycling along with industry expertise. Next up for the company will be a Kickstarter campaign to introduce several new types of recycled plastic filaments via Fila-Cycle. Keep an eye on their website for upcoming details.
