I'm using a 3D printer to help me prototype a historic bridge for my banjo (details forthcoming) and I have to admit, I'm catching the 3D printing bug. I'm finding myself thinking about buying a Raspberry Pi and a framing kit to build one myself.
However, I have some concerns.
PLA, the most common 3D printing material, is a so-called "biodegradable" polymer. In previous generations, biodegradable plastics worked like this:
Plastic: I am biodegradeable!
*Looks inside*
*Non-biodegradeable microplasrics held together with corn celluose that dissolve with water*
How similar is PLA in this regard? I don't know enough chemistry to reliably tell what is going on under the surface.
My ultimate concern is that getting into this hobby will just lead to a ton of plastic pollution under the guise of green washing.
Do any makers have some notion of what the conversation is right now?
Feel free to boost, I'm curious to hear what people think.
#3d #print3d #MakerTools #makers #maker #MakerFaire #eco #diy #environment #eco #question #3dprint