The Environmental Benefits of 3D Printing

As we get closer to the second half of the 21st century, there’s no way to deny that climate change is real and it’s here. So we come here to say that you don’t need to worry that much. At least on account of this hobby, because there is evidence that can help soothe your mind. We listed a bunch of environmental benefits of 3D printing, in comparison to buying your minis from stores.

Less Carbon, Less Travel, Less Smoke

Printing at home or at a small, local print shop uses energy. While some 3D printers, particularly industrial-grade ones, can be energy-intensive, one of the key environmental advantages is the dramatic reduction in transportation. When your 3D miniature is created on demand, you eliminate the need for long-distance shipping from a far-off factory. This localized production directly reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions associated with global supply chains. So, by printing a few minis at home, you’re not just getting your models faster, you’re actively reducing your carbon footprint. This distributed manufacturing model also minimizes overproduction, lowering the emissions tied to storing and managing excess inventory in massive warehouses. That can also reduce your overall pricing, depending on how much you print/buy. 

Reduced Material Waste

Let’s talk about one of the most significant environmental advantages of 3D printing: the massive reduction in material waste. Unlike traditional manufacturing processes, such as injection molding, which can produce miniatures from large, imprecise amounts of material, 3D printing is a precision-based, additive process. This means it builds an object by adding material one layer at a time, ensuring that you use almost the exact amount of resin or filament required for the final product.

This resource-efficient method is a game-changer, with studies showing a reduction in waste of up to 90% compared to subtractive manufacturing. If you are new to 3D printing, of course, you can use the default settings for a start. But as you dive deeper into the hobby, you’ll find an entire community dedicated to optimizing print settings to maximize efficiency and minimize waste. What’s more, because 3D printing is done on-demand, it eliminates the need for excess stock, reducing the environmental footprint associated with overproduction and inventory management.

The Future Seems Greener

Since the 80s, when 3D printing had its humble beginning, the technology hasn’t stopped evolving. Some 3D printers are already able to use recycled materials, and that is something that, by design, will be accounted for with a growing interest. Since it has been growing in popularity later, 3D printing has been more attuned to the sustainability schedule as modern technology does. The industry is investing a lot of money on research to make the 3D printer business more profitable and sustainable, and the materials cheaper and repurposable. If you are not already printing with recycled materials, in a decade or so, you probably will, since it is being actively sought. 

Who Prints the Printing Parts?

There’s something that 3D printers have the potential to make that is still being explored. Printing specific parts of machines that usually had to be ordered from foreign or faraway manufacturers. If you are someone who was born in the 80s or early 90s, the idea of a machine that can grant you the equipment to fix another machine sounds a little sci-fi to you. The thing is, we live in a kind of sci-fi age. Climate change and the lack of resources used to be theories or discussions that not everyone believed in. Now we don’t need to look at dystopian fiction to gaze into that, so it’s great to know that your hobbies can be environmentally positive.

3D Printing’s Role in a Sustainable Future

While no technology is a magic bullet, 3D printing is definitely one of our strongest tools for a greener future. It’s an “a-ha!” moment when you realize that by building things layer by layer, we’re cutting down on waste in a way old-school methods simply couldn’t. Plus, the idea of getting a part printed just around the corner, instead of waiting for a global shipment, feels like common sense.

Of course, it’s not all perfect. Some printers use a lot of juice, and we have to be smart about the materials we choose. But hey, we’re in an age where our hobbies can actually be part of the solution to some pretty big problems. When you’re making something cool, you’re also making a conscious choice. And that, in a world that needs all the help it can get, is something to feel good about.

Loot Studios can help you paint highly detailed minis, statues, and props. Choose your favorite bundle from our previous releases or sign up for Fantasy or Sci-Fi to receive a new bundle every month. You can also check out some tips on our YouTube Channel.