The Progress in Using 3-D Printing Wastes Towards a Circular Economy

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a growing technology due to its ability to improve contemporary production techniques. However, resultant waste from the involved processes is a growing concern. In this mini-review, we explore on the strategies that can be employed to incorporate 3D printing waste and in particular, plastics in a circular economy (CE) to reduce and alleviate their negative environmental effects. Linking CE into AM in this context is a new tendency aimed at promoting eco-friendliness considering the negative pollution effects of plastics particularly, the polymers used in 3D printing. The field is less explored hence the novelty in this mini-review. Some of the proposed CE strategies possible to apply in AM include, recycling, refurbishing, recycling, remanufacturing, repurposing, reuse and reinventing associated products. The raw materials used, product-use and product effects can be modified to enhance reductive, avoidance and restorative tendencies. The waste could also be used directly, reprocessed or chemically recycled to prevent its pollution threat. Evidently, the potential to incorporate CE in AM is huge and should be prioritized for sustainable production processes.