Multi‐material distributed recycling via material extrusion: recycled high density polyethylene and poly (ethylene terephthalate) mixture

Abstract

AbstractThe high volume of plastic waste and the extremely low recycling rate have created a serious challenge worldwide. Local distributed recycling and additive manufacturing (DRAM) offers a solution by economically incentivizing local recycling. One DRAM technology capable of processing large quantities of plastic waste is fused granular fabrication, where solid shredded plastic waste can be reused directly as 3D printing feedstock. This study presents an experimental assessment of multi‐material recycling printability using two of the most common thermoplastics in the beverage industry, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), and the feasibility of mixing PET and HDPE to be used as a feedstock material for large‐scale 3‐D printing. After the material collection, shredding, and cleaning, the characterization and optimization of parameters for 3D printing were performed. Results showed the feasibility of printing a large object from rPET/rHDPE flakes, reducing production costs by up to 88%.Highlights Study: multi‐material recycling printability of PET‐HDPE. Large‐scale fused particle‐based 3‐D printing technically possible. Direct waste 3‐D printing rPET/rHDPE flakes, reducing production costs up to 88%.