3D printing has a problem…

3D printing has a problem: the spools. Let's see what we can do about it!

I love 3D Printing. From the homemade powerhouses dominating the foam-flinging hobby to running a print farm for this business, the ability to make things like this is world-changing. However, there is one problem that hasn't been addressed universally: Filament spools. With the recycling industry being broken from the ground up, and the current problems with international freight, I found a solution.

We have partnered with Proto-Pasta to bring the loop closer together. By reusing and repackaging their cardboard spools, and solidifying our supply chain with USA-based polymers, we can ultimately continue bringing you better products more reliably.

EDIT: For us and those local to Proto-Pasta, the answer is obvious because their spools are reusable, recyclable, and sustainable. It makes it a really easy decision when you not only cut out single-use plastic spools, but also additional packaging and freight. For other people outside the Pacific Northwest (and this is where our point was lost), we encourage people to find local suppliers that use cardboard spools or that use masterspooling -- even if it's initially more expensive -- rather than rely on filaments where the spool and other packaging would end up in the landfill.

Please consider clicking through the links below to read more about the broken recycling system in the US. Also linked below is Proto-Pasta's own site where you can purchase some of their own filaments directly.

Wendover's fantastic video on the subject:
   • How China Broke the World's Recycling  

Video by Climate Town about the history of the relationship with the plastics industry and recycling:
   • Plastic Recycling is an Actual Scam |...  

EPA: 8.7% recycling rate for all plastics in 2018:
https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures...

NPR:
https://www.npr.org/2020/09/11/897692...

John Oliver video (NSFW - Language):
   • Plastics: Last Week Tonight with John...  

PBS:
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/ar...

Medium:
  / here-are-5-reasons-explaining-why-recyclin...  

Proto-Pasta (Our new USA filament supplier!):
https://www.proto-pasta.com/

Proto-Pasta's blog article on spools, waste, and customer experience:
https://www.proto-pasta.com/blogs/edi...

Proto-Pasta's latest blog article on what went into our partnership, including the stories behind the colors:
https://www.proto-pasta.com/blogs/sto...

FAQ & Corrections:
-If you have any questions about products we sell on the shop, don't hesitate to shoot us an email: [email protected]
-Another possible solution to waste that was brought up in the comments was masterspooling, or refillable spools. We have looked into those, but they are complicated to package and ship, and represent a major hassle for manufacturing. I tested these from a few different companies and also had many winding and install issues. This could work on a hobbyist level, but at our scale, the issues can compound pretty hard. Additionally, masterspooling (or even spools larger than 1kg) tends to produce more filament and packaging waste. rendering the whole thing moot.
-Most of the filament we use (PLA and HTPLA) is compostable on a commercial level only, and labeling 3D printed parts doesn't guarantee that it gets recycled. We do our part to make quality prints that last. We're also currently discussing with Proto-Pasta ways to return failed prints to be returned to them. It's not trivial to do, as the parts need to be broken down into uniform pieces, or melted and processed into new pellets. Labor alone would probably cost more than the materials, but this is my ultimate goal someday.


0:00 Opening
0:19 Background & Introduction
1:28 Recycling Is Broken
2:05 The Problem - Spools
3:47 The Other Problem - Packaging & Freight
4:20 Our Solution
6:54 Behind the Scenes at the Proto-Plant
7:33 Color Availability & Looking Forward
10:01 Closing Remarks

Out of Darts, run by Luke, is a one-stop nerf-modding hobby shop. We carry all the supplies, tools, and accessories to make your modding journey easier! We create original 3D-printed blasters and mod parts with almost 100 Prusa printers. Check out our site below for guides, build lists, and resources.

Please subscribe for more!
http://tinyurl.com/jnuot5d

My web store:
https://www.outofdarts.com

Product questions?
https://outofdarts.com/pages/contact

Follow me on Instagram for sneak peeks:
  / outofdarts  

Edited by J Perry Heun, Out of Darts Video Editor

‪@ProtopastaMakers‬ ‪@ClimateTown‬