Sustainable Filament Initiative Launched

As the market for 3D printing grows, the demand for plastic filament is rapidly accelerating. That means greater production of virgin plastic filament, and potentially a much larger environmental impact.

In an effort to help encourage the use of sustainably and ethically produced 3D printing filament, UK charity techfortrade has launched The Ethical Filament Foundation to ensure the availability of a recycled alternative to virgin plastic while also offering income stability for waste pickers in developing countries and reducing plastic waste.

Waste pickers sort recyclables. Image: ProtoPrint

The group is working on an industry standard for filament production that focuses on social, economic and environmental requirements. techfortrade founded the group in partnership with Michigan Technological University and Dreambox Emergence, a company that provides 3D printing units for community-based manufacturing in Guatemala.

The group is working with ProtoPrint in India, which is developing filament made from recycled waste plastic. The company also works closely with waste pickers union called SWaCH. By sourcing plastics for recycled filament directly from waste pickers, the initiative could both bolster the incomes of the 15 million waste pickers worldwide while providing a more sustainable alternative for plastic filament consumption.

Companies producing this “fair trade” filament can be certified through the organization and then are able to display the accreditation mark. You can download a copy of the standard here, and find out how to participate here.

After the basics of 3D printing, the video below explains more about techfortrade’s goals:

Source: techfortrade