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Polymer recycling codes for distributed manufacturing with 3-D printers

Author

Listed:
  • Hunt, Emily J.
  • Zhang, Chenlong
  • Anzalone, Nick
  • Pearce, Joshua M.

Abstract

With the aggressive cost reductions for 3-D printing made available by the open-source self-replicating rapid prototypers (RepRaps) the economic advantage of custom distributed manufacturing has become substantial. In addition, the number of free designs is growing exponentially and the development and commercialization of the recyclebot (plastic extruders that fabricate 3-D printing filament from recycled or virgin materials) have greatly improved the material selection available for prosumer 3-D printer operators. These trends indicate that more individuals will manufacturer their own polymer products, however, there is a risk that an even larger fraction of polymer waste will not be recycled because it has not been coded. The current limited resin identification code available in the U.S. similarly restricts closing the loop on less popular polymers, which could hamper the environmental impact benefits of distributed manufacturing. This paper provides a solution for this challenge by (1) developing a recycling code model based off of the resin identification codes developed in China that is capable of expansion as more complex 3-D printing materials are introduced, (2) creating OpenSCAD scripts based on (1) to be used to print resin identification codes into products, (3) demonstrating the use of this functionality in a selection of products and polymer materials, and (4) outlining the software and policy tools necessary to make this application possible for widespread adoption. Overall the results showed that a far larger resin code identification system can be adopted in the U.S. to expand distributed recycling of polymers and manufacturing of plastic-based 3-D printed products.

Suggested Citation

  • Hunt, Emily J. & Zhang, Chenlong & Anzalone, Nick & Pearce, Joshua M., 2015. "Polymer recycling codes for distributed manufacturing with 3-D printers," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 24-30.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:97:y:2015:i:c:p:24-30
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.02.004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Björklund, Anna & Finnveden, Göran, 2005. "Recycling revisited—life cycle comparisons of global warming impact and total energy use of waste management strategies," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 44(4), pages 309-317.
    2. Manuel Adelino & Song Ma & David Robinson, 2017. "Firm Age, Investment Opportunities, and Job Creation," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 72(3), pages 999-1038, June.
    3. Rajendran, Saravanan & Scelsi, Lino & Hodzic, Alma & Soutis, Constantinos & Al-Maadeed, Mariam A., 2012. "Environmental impact assessment of composites containing recycled plastics," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 131-139.
    4. Chilton, Tom & Burnley, Stephen & Nesaratnam, Suresh, 2010. "A life cycle assessment of the closed-loop recycling and thermal recovery of post-consumer PET," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(12), pages 1241-1249.
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    1. Kirsi Immonen & Sini Metsä-Kortelainen & Juha Nurmio & Amélie Tribot & Tuomas Turpeinen & Atte Mikkelson & Tomi Kalpio & Otto-Ville Kaukoniemi & Heli Kangas, 2022. "Recycling of 3D Printable Thermoplastic Cellulose-Composite," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-16, February.

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