UK News: Lancashire3D Ltd Continues in their Quest to Recycle All 3D Printing Materials

The UK’s Lancashire3D Ltd is back and leading the way for full-circle recycling. Already notable as ‘the largest 3D printing studio in the North of England,’ the team at Lancashire3D is taking the reins in terms of re-use in 3D printing ecosystems, doing their part for the environment by reducing the amount of waste they produce—and in a region where most plastic waste (including that from 3D printing efforts) goes straight into the landfill.

Using waste such as support materials, used spools, and prints that could not be used—along with taking returned plastics from 3D printing customers, Lancashire3D projects they will now be reclaiming over 165 kilograms year to be taken full circle and put right back into their 3D printers. This is a small start considering the many tonnes of 3D printing materials produced worldwide but a laudable one that should be copied the world over. Bio-plastics and oil-based materials will be used in their sustainable plastics program, referred to as the Sustainable Range.

“We know that the planet has a finite amount of resources and that we all need to take more responsibility. Governments are making plans to take action, consumers are vowing to change their behaviour, and businesses like ours are stepping up to help. By creating a circular economy (production), which means that when finished with, 3D printing material returns for recycling and is changed back to printable material and reused, waste is seen as a resource and part of a continuous cycle,” said Steven Pearson, Co-Founder at Lancashire3D Ltd.

“We bring more than 10 years technology, design and industry experience and are committed to developing truly innovative ways to marry the art and science of 3D printing, while delivering on our vision to recycle and reuse as much as possible. We also want to continue to enlighten our partners about what we do and how by making a few small changes they can have less impact on our environment with no impact on the quality of their product.”

Lancashire3D Ltd supports industries and applications such as:

• Automotive
• Film production
• Energy management
• Marine research
• Medical instruments
• Product development
• Vehicle telematics
• Waste management

With this plan being in the works over the long-term, Lancashire3D Ltd announced last year that they were planning to recycle all their thermoplastic waste. Since then, they have made the following progress:

• Reclaiming and recycling 95 percent of their plastic waste
• Using all of the recycled plastic content
• Collaborating with Filamentive to promote recycling of food containers and more
• Using all eco-friendly packaging

“Sustainability has been part of Lancashire3D’s mission since its launch in April 2018 and during the last year it has distinguished itself as a 3D powerhouse offering advanced in-house services such as 3D scanning and reverse engineering, enabling customers to have physical objects digitally reproduced and 3D printed within hours of the receipt of a design,” explains the Lancashire3D Ltd team in their press release to 3DPrint.com.

“Its services deliver significant value to clients looking for immediate results within a short timeframe at a competitive price point. Specialising in high-quality FFF and SLA Resin (including engineering grade), both general and Engineering grade thermoplastics and photopolymers are used and stocked.”

The world of manufacturing is hinged in a continued state of conflict between production of items and then the dilemma of what to do about so many items taking up place on Earth or in landfills. Innovating and thinking up new ways to make more plastic and metal components is a priority, but for many companies so is recycling and bringing materials full circle, beginning programs and developing projects for recycling with robot arms, re-using filament, and even turning plastic containers into 3D printed prosthetics.

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