I’ve heard the talk about the LOOP filament recycling company being a scam. Is this true? They sure seem to send a lot of marketing emails out for being a scam. Take a look at the latest email they sent… seems somewhat legitimate, but I am still suspicious of them based on what I have read here on the forums.
Today’s update is a little different. Instead of focusing on our internal hardware, we want to highlight a vital part of the Loop ecosystem: Community.
As we continue refining Loop, one of our biggest requirements is a steady supply of real 3D-print waste: failed prints, supports, infill-heavy parts, odd materials, and everything in between. To keep our tests realistic, we don’t just print test scraps in-house. We partner with local maker spaces, libraries, and non-profits to collect their leftover prints.
working with our community
Recently, our local library makerspace and non-profit after school program has been helping us gather old prints for our testing. They generate a consistent stream of scrap from prototypes and failed projects, providing the perfect “real-world” feedstock for our R&D team. This partnership gives us the volume we need for testing while helping these organization close the loop on their own plastic waste.
the “prep” principle: better input, better output
Recycling 3D-printed scraps involves an often-overlooked step: Preparation. Prepping scraps is essential to ensure high-quality results in the final filament. We asked our partners to follow a few simple guidelines that make a massive difference in our testing workflow:
- Sort by material: Separating PLA from PETG to prevent cross-contamination
- Clean Feedstock: Keeping prints free of materials inserts, glue, and tape
- Variety: Providing a mix of shapes, sizes, and infill densities
how their scraps fuel our testing
The prints we receive from the makerspace are invaluable for our currenting Engineering Validation Test (EVT). Unlike pristine plastic pellets, these scraps represent the actual variety LOOP will encounter in your home or workshop:
- Shredder Resilience: The variety allows us to push the shredding system with different shapes and densities, testing its performance, durability, and resilience against jamming.
- Extrusion Consistency: We use this real world material to ensure our extruder maintains a precise filament diameter (targeting +/- 0.02mm), even when the input isn’t perfect.
closing the LOOP
This is a small but powerful example of community-driven development. We are incredibly proud to be building Loop alongside such a supportive network. These partnerships prove that sustainable making is achievable when we work together.
We’re here for the long road ahead, and we’re glad you’re with us.
Until next time. Keep making.
The Loop Team
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