I don't see how bio is any greener than fossil plastics

[Demolishun]

This is something that is starting to bother me about people recommending filament. How is a bio plastic any more green?

Before you answer that question consider this:
- ABS plastic is a byproduct of fossil fuels and is now considered a primary product. If it is not used then it will either collect as waste or get burned off (the chems that make it).
- PLA is a grown plastic. So it requires energy to produce (probably in excess of what ABS takes, this would need to be checked).
- PLA is a new process compared to ABS so there is less infrastructure and support behind it. (that will change as it progresses I know)
- Recycling old plastic from: toys, shopping bags, pop bottles, etc is more green than new ABS or bio plastics.
- Some fossil based plastics are designed to break down just as readily as a bio plastic.
- We have a fossil fuel economy, that is not going to change fast. So not using ABS from that process is counterproductive.

So, for my situation I am totally stoked about making filament from recycled plastic. A friend of mine found a truck bed liner that was thrown away and has proceeded to cut it up so I can make filament. I am currently collecting every type of plastic I would normally throw away. I personally believe that is the most "green" plastic source I can think of.

Yes, if we were actually moving away from a fossil economy I would say bio plastics were greener. However, recycling is the most green currently. Following that I am not sure if bio based is any greener than fossil just because of the usage issue. If it is not used it will get discarded/burned. Sucks yes, but you cannot drive a 3000lb vehicle to a from work everyday and expect there not to be a cost for that convenience.

BTW, I am eying my dead van and wondering how much plastic I can extrude from that... Plus I am wondering if the parts of the van could be used to make a giant 3d printer...

[Demolishun]

Also, I thought of one good use for ABS that is very green. Apparently PET (think clear soda bottles) is hard to extrude into filament as the transition temperature is very runny. So if it were to be alloyed with ABS (or some other plastic) then it could be a way to keep soda bottles out of landfills. This is something I will be experimenting with. I intend to test this with ABS, PLA, and HIPS in pellet form. I also intend to try to alloy it with medicine bottles (brown and white plastic) and other commonly available plastics that are often disposed of.

[DavidF]

double edged sword no doubt. try burning some abs, then burn some pla.....Im sure you will notice the difference. Green doesnt mean what is the best recycled or best use of material or best recycled. It means what is healthier for the enviroment......and yes green can come at a cost.

[Jimustanguitar]

They both take energy to produce, yes. That's true with everything, though.

The green part is what happens when you dispose of it. ABS is a chemical that doesn't break down in nature. PLA is plant based and is supposed to compost.

Recycling plastic is awesome, do that!

[lordbinky]

Let's just all print lots of dinosour bones in ABS and bury them thousands of feet in the ground. Then when something smart digs them up later it'll be all ' These dinosaur bones are made from...processed dinosaur....'

[Demolishun]

I like your thinking there LordBinky. Lets make a filament with wood chips, feces, and bucky balls inside an ABS. That way when someone analyzes the material they will be like "Wha...?". Could you imagine the scientist reporting their findings of what these ancient bones were made out of?