Comment on Everytime i come across a 3d printing post
rob_t_firefly@lemmy.world 6 days agoIf you’re only using natural (unpigmented) PLA that’s one thing, but the pigments in colored PLA vary widely in terms of environmental effects and compostability. Composting old PLA prints may release all sorts of crud into the end product you really don’t want to fertilize your garden with, always check your filament’s MSDS first.
AmbitiousProcess@piefed.social 6 days ago
The MSDS for the filament I use says that it doesn't contain any PBT/vPvB substance or endocrine disruptors. I presume that means it's likely fine, at least for the brand I use.
The only 2 ingredients are PLA, and calcium carbonate, which is also found in egshells, some vegetables, and is coincidentally commonly used as an additive to composting piles that can eliminate pathogens.
I also think the overall amount of pigment entering the environment from something like this will be quite low compared to practically any other contaminant that enters the waste stream from people who just don't know what's compostable throwing random things in the bin.
There's also the fact that there's probably larger overall harms from all the microplastics existing in a landfill rather than being broken down entirely into plant proteins in a composting facility but with a minute amount of contamination. It's not perfect, but it's probably better than leaving all the microplastics floating around for decades if not centuries, depending on the environment.