Our Commitment to Sustainability

Humanity is facing the growing impact of plastic waste polluting our land and marine environments, the effect of increasingly severe weather events as well as the consequences of global warming.

The natural environment cannot be replaced or replicated, so it’s imperative that a strong sustainability agenda becomes embedded in our societal and economic structures.

Sustainability requires the use of resources at a rate which allows for continued future use. At Filamentive, we aspire to curate a Circular Economy business model – designing out pollution and keeping materials in use by reusing and recycling. In addition to resource efficiency, we are also taking action to minimise the overall impact of our business operations.

Sustainable 3D Printing

Whilst at its core 3D printing is fundamentally less wasteful than traditional, subtractive manufacturing methods, the use of plastic as a feedstock has the potential to exacerbate the global plastic epidemic unless sustainable solutions can be implemented.

Recycled Materials

“Material sustainability is an issue that can no longer be ignored due to wide adoption of 3D printing”

Our aim is to provide a sustainable source of raw materials to 3D printing users. Where possible, recycled materials will be used to produce our 3D printer filament, in accordance with ISO 14021:2016.

A careful selection criteria is in place in order to guarantee, single-source waste streams. As of March 2021 we are mainly working with post-industrial waste streams – material diverted from the waste stream during a manufacturing process.

The positives outcomes of this production model include:

• Minimising the amount of plastic being sent to the diminishing landfill sites
• Avoiding consumption of the Earth’s finite oil stocks
• Lowering energy demand compared to producing new, virgin polymers

Recyclable Packaging

We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our products by increasing recyclability of packaging / materials.

Sustainability at Filamentive goes beyond using recycled materials in the first instance; instead, the entire product lifecycle is evaluated – enabling reuse / recycling of filament spools in-line with Circular Economy principles. Filamentive were the first UK filament brands to do this in 2018 with cardboard spools for 750g-1 kg products, and thankfully we have overcome engineering challenges to be the first UK brand to switch to sustainable cardboard reels for >2 kg 3D printing filament products also.

Furthermore, all cardboard product boxes are made from 100% recycled cardboard, and can then be 100% recycled also via council / industrial recycling bins (in the UK).

Regrettably, not all current packaging materials are (widely) recyclable, but we are committed to eventually replace non-recyclable components with recycled, recyclable, or bioplastic alternatives to further reduce environmental impact.

Carbon offset with Ecologi

Filamentive is now investing in environmentally-sustainable projects globally – including reforestation and renewable energy production, primarily in the developing world where the most impact can be made.

As a result, carbon emissions arising from production, transport and employee activity are now offset, harnessing a Climate Positive Workforce.

The Filamentive Ecologi Profile Page visualises the commitment to global environmental sustainability, displaying the number of trees in a virtual forest, as well as the total quantity of carbon reduction (tonnes).

The Ecologi platform provides full transparency, with specific information on projects funded and also CO2e calculation. More information on Ecologi can be found here.

3D Printing Waste Solutions

3D printing waste is a problem. Most 3D printer operators do not recycle their 3D printing waste. Because there is no established end of life (EoL) processing system for 3D printed parts, plastic waste generated from 3D printing is rarely recycled and therefore, will typically end up in landfill.

Despite the misleading claims about PLA biodegradability, there is no evidence of biodegradability in soil, home compost or landfill.

Filamentive wants to change this. In April 2024, we launched our Free PLA Waste Recycling Scheme to reduce plastic pollution in 3D printing and help 3D printer operators be more sustainable.

Filamentive customers receive a free 3D Printing Waste recycling box for every £500 (ex VAT) spent with us, enabling your PLA 3D printing waste to be recycled at no added cost.

At Filamentive, the heart of our mission lies in significantly reducing plastic pollution, playing an essential role in helping our thousands of customers decrease environmental impact and achieve sustainability goals. 

FREE Recycling of PLA 3D Printing Waste

As of April 2024, Filamentive now offer existing customers FREE PLA 3D printing waste recycling. All existing customers in the UK who have spent a minimum of £500 + VAT on PLA 3D Printer Filament products through our website are eligible for our free recycling box scheme. Our partners 3D Printing Waste (3DPW) will receive your filled recycling box once returned and take care of the entire recycling process, cost-free!