Oooooohhhhh... that relieves my mind enormously, that people are at least willing to explore their options (especially the firms that are starting from a recycling-first principle). Thanks for sharing the link, M!
I'm glad to see some of the content of that article, too. I was concerned with the question of spread and toxicity of source materials (I still am).
I wonder about how people's habits might change with regard to buying parts already made of plastic versus printing them. Also, what change in the usual material of any given gubbin, if it can be printed (was it already made from plastic)?
This reminds me of my thoughts about all-electric cars. If a gasoline car is ~90% efficient at turning petrochemicals into movement and an electric car is 99% efficient at the same, I still ask some questions:
What other energy use and environmental effects are there? It takes both of these to mine, refine, and transport petrochemicals. In most jurisdictions, the electricity for the car comes from much less efficient generation and transportation processes.
Comments 3
Some people are thinking about it:
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/3-d-printing-a-recycling-machine
They point out flaws but at least they are working on it. ;-)
XO
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I wonder about how people's habits might change with regard to buying parts already made of plastic versus printing them. Also, what change in the usual material of any given gubbin, if it can be printed (was it already made from plastic)?
This reminds me of my thoughts about all-electric cars. If a gasoline car is ~90% efficient at turning petrochemicals into movement and an electric car is 99% efficient at the same, I still ask some questions:
What other energy use and environmental effects are there? It takes both of these to mine, refine, and transport petrochemicals. In most jurisdictions, the electricity for the car comes from much less efficient generation and transportation processes.
What to do?
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