For this assignment, I would like to upcycle 3D printer scraps. In the 3D printing hobby, prints don’t always come out perfectly. Many objects fail during printing, resulting in an excess amount of scrap. Additionally, I often encounter excess filament being pushed out of the nozzle when loading new filament. To prevent clogging, I have to remove this extra material, commonly known in the 3D printing community as “filament poop.” [2] 

This image is from the article: Upcycling 3D Printing Waste

My collection of scrap filament

Even when starting a print, the printer creates a “purge line” before every job. This primes the nozzle for printing but also generates more waste. These purge lines accumulate quickly and can clutter a workstation when printing multiple pieces. Because of this, I want to find a way to repurpose what most people consider trash. 

In terms of aesthetics, I am drawn to minimalism. To me, minimalism represents clean, functional design. Interestingly, I want to create an almost oxymoronic concept—taking an accumulation of plastic waste (which represents maximilism) and transforming it into something guided by minimalistic principles. 

For this project, I plan to create coasters out of 3D printing waste. I got the idea from this article: [link] [2] 

These images are from the article: Upcycling 3D Printing Waste

A coaster is a functional product designed to protect surfaces from damage by providing a small tray or mat beneath a cup. By using the random filament scraps I have on hand—representing the chaotic nature of plastic waste—I can create something both practical and visually striking. The concept of “more is more,” with vibrant colors, pattern play, and energetic design, can be expressed through the mix of various filament types and colors. [1] 

Above image is my collection of filaments. The below image is a spool of filament I can no longer use since I basically can’t print anything using that little filament. 

 

 

 

References 

  1. Maximalist Style Article:

Hughes, K. (2022, March 30). What is maximalist style? The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-maximalist-style-4685629 

  1. Upcycling 3D Printing Waste Article:

3DWithUs. (n.d.). Upcycling 3D printing waste in artistic and practical ways. https://3dwithus.com/upcycling-3d-printing-waste-artistic-practical#3D%20Print%20Fails 

2 Comments. Leave new

  • Bryan Moreno Najera
    January 31, 2025 8:12 pm

    As an owner of a “pooping” 3D printer, this is a really great way to recycle the small pieces of filament poop. The collection of colors you have will definitely lend themselves to something very unique. I am curious as to how you will be shaping the filament into coasters. Could you possibly do a pattern with the colors?

    • I did see a YouTube video of a guy playing around with melted 3D filament scraps (here’s a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nypitKDr928). He experimented using silicon molds, so I’m thinking I can do the same thing. I think I’ll design a simple mold and melt the plastic that way. I am also curious about the different designs I can do so I’ll have to play around with that! I also am curious if this method will work using material other than PLA. I have ABS and ASA filament to play around with too, but I’ve been printing with just PLA at the moment so inconsistencies with the melting temperature won’t be an issue.

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