Filamentive Addressing the ‘Reel Issues’ with Empty Filament Spool Return

Ravi Toor

7 years ago

The fundamental advantage of 3D printing is less waste, more efficiency. In desktop 3D printing, we can now buy recycled 3D printer filament, and even recycle our own filament at home. However, with plastic still being the material of choice for spool manufacturers, it is not as straightforward for 3D printer users to find new uses for them. As such, empty spools pose a problem. Some choose to keep them, which takes up storage space. Others simply throw away empty reels, but if they are not properly discarded, they are rarely recycled via the proper channels, and usually end up in landfill, adding to our problem of waste plastic. Fortunately, there is now a solution.

Known for their high quality recycled 3D printer filament, UK brand, Filamentive, have now pioneered a new empty spool return initiative which is both waste-reducing and cost-saving. As a producer of 3D printer filament, Filamentive are taking responsibility for the entire product lifecycle, offering a financial reward of 20% discount on all orders over £40 when empty spools are returned. The best bit is that you can return any brand of spool and still be eligible for discount – as long as it meets Filamentive’s terms.

The initiative is straightforward with no catches. Simply fill in the online form, send the spools back, wait for Filamentive to verify the spools, receive a 20% discount code to use when purchasing your next lot of Filamentive filament and then start the process again once you’ve finished – it’s as easy as that!

For the consumer, benefits include:

Decreasing plastic use and therefore environmental impact
Reducing clutter in the household/office/workshop
Saving money on future filament purchases

With over 1000 spools returned to date, the scheme is proving very popular. Filamentive will endeavour to find new uses for the returned spools, including:

In-house research, development and production
Donation to local charities and organisations
Discounted resale to those with desktop extruders, leftover filament, etc.

For those sending empty spools back, Filamentive recommend Royal Mail second-class small parcel. For 3 spools or more, the MyHermes ParcelShop service from Parcel2Go will be the most affordable option. The initiative is open to customers worldwide, however shipping costs may be uneconomical from outside the UK. If this is the case, some ideas of alternative uses for empty spools can be found here.

Filamentive is a producer of recycled 3D printer filament, make to industry gold-standard specification. The current material portfolio consists of recycled PLA, PETG, ABS, Wood and Carbon Fibre. There are discounts for B2B and Resellers, and free samples can requested here.

Ravi Toor is the Founder and Director of Filamentive

What do you think of Filamentive’s new initiative? Let us know in the Filamentive Empty Spool Return forum thread at 3DPB.com.