PROBLEM

Over 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels [source]

In 2019 there were 168,000 3D printers installed in the UK [source] – extrapolating this with the 24% per year 3D printing growth rate [source], it is conceivable that there could be in excess of 250,000 3D printers in in the UK.

If we assume the average 3D printer consumes 12 kg of plastic filament annually – the estimated 2021 UK 3D printing plastic demand could be 3 million kg [source]

With a wastage factor of up to 33% [source], plastic waste arising from 3D printing in the UK alone could possibly be as high as 1.5 million kg per year.

There is no established end-of-life (EoL) solution for 3D printed plastic waste [source].

3D printing waste is therefore not being recycled, being disposed of via general waste channels, potentially polluting our land and marine environments.

OUR MISSION

3D printing is a double edged sword. Whilst fundamentally additive, the use of plastic as a feedstock could exacerbate the plastic problem without efficient resource recovery.

3DPW offers viable end-of-life solutions for 3D-printed waste that is not currently recycled or reused, thus preventing further plastic pollution of land and marine environments.

VISION

3DPW seeks to disrupt existing manufacturing waste management by curating a scalable Circular Economy business model – designing-out waste and utilising previously non-recycled resources into high-value input material for various industries and markets, giving plastic waste a new life.

SOLUTION

Recycling – supplying waste as feedstock for manufacturing processes such as Injection Moulding – reducing reliance on virgin polymers.

Upcycling – utilising plastic waste as input material for the production of value-added creative products – giving plastic waste a new life.

Pelletising – shredding plastic waste and then, melting and reforming as pellets for resale as secondary materials – increasing usage of recycled polymers.