This, in my opinion, is the case of 3d printing resins. You can find them in our store among other more environmentally friendly 3d printing products so I’m not telling you not to use them, but you should be aware that this technology should not be abused and when possible avoided.
Standard 3d printing resins if not specified otherwise are toxic to the environment and do not biodegrade. Improper treatment of 3d printing resins can harm people, animals and the world in which we live.
I know that making products with resin is tempting because of the finishing, but If you are a hobbyist just starting your additive manufacturing journey I suggest you to not buy standard resin oriented products, instead buy a 3d printer that can work with biodegradable material. If you already use this technology try to keep toxic waste to a minimum. At the moment on the market there are also 3D printing bio-based resins that claim to be fully biodegradable.
As 3d becomes more popular and widespread, we’re learning more and more about the extent of their impact on our environment, so it is our responsibility to learn how to keep ourselves and the planet safe. Before printing your next useless item or start a mass business around the wrong technology, be aware that more than one independent scientific study has shown that standard resins used in 3d printing are toxic to the environment, especially to aquatic ecosystems.
The small molecules that forms resins can damage the central nervous systems of fish and other animals, breaking down their neurological processes and killing them. Nanoparticles are also another big concern because they’re microscopic and an unavoidable by-product of 3D printing that do not biodegrade.
Consider also that excessive exposure to sunlight can alter the mechanical and chemical properties of the resin prints causing them to break down. Not really a winning technology depending on what we are going to make. I’m confident that many scientist are working on different solutions to tackle the issues I’ve mentioned above and produce edible, biodegradable 3d printing resins, in order to keep going with the business. In the 80’s there were scientists that worked hard to made even steaks and other food from oil. I believe this is not really the point as for many of us probably green alternatives are already here.
Source: wittystore.com - Author: E.Mulas MSc.I.D. MIEI
