Carbon Footprint of Plastic Product Made With a 3D Printing

This chapter discusses the topic of carbon footprint of 3D printing.  3D printing or additive manufacturing is a procedure of gradually producing an object from digital models, layer by layer, with the use of a variety of materials, in particular different types of plastic. We will look at the environmental impacts of 3D printing as well as the environmental impacts of linked procedures (material preparation, transport, waste treatment). The production, use and disposal of a product are covered with a focus on energy use, material sources and waste treatment. In addition, this study includes a comparative assessment of 3D printing and some alternative methods to determine their environmental impact. Through a comprehensive analysis, we aim to contribute to the understanding of challenges and opportunities of sustainability aspects of 3D printing using plastic materials. By assessing factors such as resource use and emissions, we aim to gain valuable insights into the sustainability implications of 3D printing with plastics. The results obtained contribute to the wider discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of 3D printing compared with alternative methods of production.