Advancing Sustainable Practices in Additive Manufacturing: A Comprehensive Review on Material Waste Recyclability

Abstract

This review investigates the pivotal challenge of recycling material waste in the context of additive manufacturing. We place an emphasis on decentralized 3D printing, shedding light on its environmental and economic implications. As additive manufacturing experiences exponential growth, the environment impact of waste generation during 3D printing processes has become increasingly significant. This paper explores various recycled materials commonly used in 3D printing, including polymers like polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), evaluating their characteristics and usability. General recycling methodologies, encompassing mechanical and chemical processes, are examined, with attention paid to challenges such as polymer sorting, additives, coatings, contamination, and thermoset reprocessing. The economic, societal, and environmental impacts of integrating recycled materials into 3D printing are examined. By identifying research gaps and proposing future trends, this review contributes to the development of a deeper understanding of how recycling can play a pivotal role in achieving environmental sustainability and economic viability within the decentralized 3D printing landscape.