Uploaded September 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
3D printing offers democratic manufacturing where an end user can create a product, cutting out a lot of large scale manufacturing, distribution and packaging. So this should be better for the environment right? Just like new EVs vs old ICE vehicles, it’s not so easy to compare. To do so we need to conduct a life cycle analysis, where the entire lifespan of the product is considered, cradle to the grave.
0:00 Introduction
0:44 What is greener: A new EV or old ICE car?
2:29 Life Cycle Analysis
4:24 LCA examples and why they are difficult to complete
GreenNCAP Euro LCA results: greenncap.com/european-lca-results
Thesis LCA of chemical storage: dantes.info/Publications/Publication-doc/Packaging-public.pdf
6:19 3D Printing vs injection molding
6:35 Raw materials and processing
7:35 Manufacture
8:36 Packaging and distribution
10:08 Use
11:20 Post-use
Plastic recycling myth article: theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/17/plastic-recycling-myth-what-really-happens-your-rubbish
Lifecycle of plastics article: https://www.wwf.org.au/news/blogs/the-lifecycle-of-plastics
What is PLA article: biopak.com/au/resources/what-is-pla
CNC Kitchen video on composting PLA: youtube.com/watch?v=tavrkWrazWI
12:57 Conclusion
Poland Spring water bottle article: slate.com/business/2012/06/poland-springs-new-bottles-why-are-they-so-thin-and-flimsy.html
Image and video credits:
Pick up by KRZYSZTOF: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fiat_125p_pick-up.jpg
Tesla by SsmIntrigue: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2019_Tesla_Model_3,_Front_Left,_05-30-2021.jpg
Gasoline container by WhisperToMe: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GasolineContainer.JPG
Smog in New York by Dr. Edwin P. Ewing, Jr: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SmogNY.jpg
Electricity pylons by Parsa 2au: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Electricity_pylons2.jpg
Sun, clouds and sky by Bodomi: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sun,_clouds_and_sky.jpg
Hybrid battery by Swapnil EP: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hyrbid_car_battery_replacement.jpg
Open cut mine by Stephen Codrington: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kalgoorlie_open_cast_mine.jpg
Tesla factory by Steve Jurvetson: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tesla_auto_bots.jpg
Cradle by MET Museum: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Figure_of_a_Baby_in_a_Cradle_Holding_a_Kitten_MET_140906.jpg
Injection molded bottle caps: youtube.com/watch?v=og4Uw5bJhO0
Injection molded cups: youtube.com/watch?v=WUrALuorYXg
Creality factory tour: youtube.com/watch?v=NYQo0rDCNd0
Making an injection mold: youtube.com/watch?v=QFvxmeGWqxE
Injection molded garbage bin: youtube.com/watch?v=nSb9eJfNEl4
Freight truck video: youtube.com/watch?v=kuOr2-wXrGc
Cargo ship video: youtube.com/watch?v=D0LgXOzcyTo
Polish landfill by Cezary p: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wysypisko.jpg
Earth by NASA: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17.jpg
Buy quality and affordable filament from X3D. Buy 3, get 1 free and a free sample pack with every order: www.x3d.com.au
Get Quality Resins from 3D Printers Online. 5% off storewide for Teaching Tech subscribers [Code: tech5]
https://3dprintersonline.com.au/
Take a look around and if you like what you see, please subscribe.
Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/teachingtech
3D printing offers democratic manufacturing where an end user can create a product, cutting out a lot of large scale manufacturing, distribution and packaging. So this should be better for the environment right? Just like new EVs vs old ICE vehicles, it’s not so easy to compare. To do so we need to conduct a life cycle analysis, where the entire lifespan of the product is considered, cradle to the grave.
0:00 Introduction
0:44 What is greener: A new EV or old ICE car?
2:29 Life Cycle Analysis
4:24 LCA examples and why they are difficult to complete
GreenNCAP Euro LCA results: greenncap.com/european-lca-results
Thesis LCA of chemical storage: dantes.info/Publications/Publication-doc/Packaging-public.pdf
6:19 3D Printing vs injection molding
6:35 Raw materials and processing
7:35 Manufacture
8:36 Packaging and distribution
10:08 Use
11:20 Post-use
Plastic recycling myth article: theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/17/plastic-recycling-myth-what-really-happens-your-rubbish
Lifecycle of plastics article: https://www.wwf.org.au/news/blogs/the-lifecycle-of-plastics
What is PLA article: biopak.com/au/resources/what-is-pla
CNC Kitchen video on composting PLA: youtube.com/watch?v=tavrkWrazWI
12:57 Conclusion
Poland Spring water bottle article: slate.com/business/2012/06/poland-springs-new-bottles-why-are-they-so-thin-and-flimsy.html
Image and video credits:
Pick up by KRZYSZTOF: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fiat_125p_pick-up.jpg
Tesla by SsmIntrigue: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2019_Tesla_Model_3,_Front_Left,_05-30-2021.jpg
Gasoline container by WhisperToMe: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GasolineContainer.JPG
Smog in New York by Dr. Edwin P. Ewing, Jr: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SmogNY.jpg
Electricity pylons by Parsa 2au: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Electricity_pylons2.jpg
Sun, clouds and sky by Bodomi: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sun,_clouds_and_sky.jpg
Hybrid battery by Swapnil EP: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hyrbid_car_battery_replacement.jpg
Open cut mine by Stephen Codrington: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kalgoorlie_open_cast_mine.jpg
Tesla factory by Steve Jurvetson: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tesla_auto_bots.jpg
Cradle by MET Museum: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Figure_of_a_Baby_in_a_Cradle_Holding_a_Kitten_MET_140906.jpg
Injection molded bottle caps: youtube.com/watch?v=og4Uw5bJhO0
Injection molded cups: youtube.com/watch?v=WUrALuorYXg
Creality factory tour: youtube.com/watch?v=NYQo0rDCNd0
Making an injection mold: youtube.com/watch?v=QFvxmeGWqxE
Injection molded garbage bin: youtube.com/watch?v=nSb9eJfNEl4
Freight truck video: youtube.com/watch?v=kuOr2-wXrGc
Cargo ship video: youtube.com/watch?v=D0LgXOzcyTo
Polish landfill by Cezary p: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wysypisko.jpg
Earth by NASA: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17.jpg
Buy quality and affordable filament from X3D. Buy 3, get 1 free and a free sample pack with every order: www.x3d.com.au
Get Quality Resins from 3D Printers Online. 5% off storewide for Teaching Tech subscribers [Code: tech5]
https://3dprintersonline.com.au/
Take a look around and if you like what you see, please subscribe.
Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/teachingtech
