Focus Local,
Scale Global.
(um okay, what does that even mean)
Focus local means we recycle plastic where we collect it. Which is different than how most plastic is currently recycled. Most plastic gets collected and shipped to even other countries before it can be re-used. We come in and set up all-in-one local recycling systems, so communities can be self-sufficient in dealing with their waste.
1. We determine the best way to collect plastic waste.
Working with Local Governments:
We start by trying to work with local governments who may already have recycling programs in place. We help them evaluate the effectiveness of their current recycling program and then we build a collection point for plastics that receives plastic directly from the already in-place recycling systems, or acts as a supplemental recycling effort to what the location already has in place.
Working with Locals and Small Business:
In areas, such as in developing nations, where recycling programs are much less defined and pollution is higher, we take a different approach. We setup our own processing center which works with locals, small business, and the government to organize cleanups where plastic is taken out of the environment and then brought to our processing center where it is cleaned, sorted, and recycled.
We are a not-for-profit member of the Precious Plastic Ecosystem, meaning all of our locations are points where people can clean, sort, and drop-off plastic waste for us to recycle.
Depending on the location, we provide our own plastic pickup services as well!
We engage the community through volunteering opportunities and we create local jobs at our centers.
Extrruuuuuddddeee them into filament
2. Once the plastic reaches our centers we use machinery to grind it into really small flakes and pellets. Then (using formulas developed in our main labs) we mix the right proportions of plastics together, put those mixtures in our machines, and then...
(And since filament gets produce at our centers these centers then become local distributers for our filament. When an order comes in, it ships from the closest distribution center making our system that much more environmentally friendly.)
But we knew we could do more for communities than just taking care of their recycling and waste.
We are proud to say that filament labs collection points and distribution centers are also local maker-spaces, and support centers for our products. At our centers, we hire local technicians to help service and set-up printers for customers. We set-up some of our own printers in these spaces too (along with other tools and materials) turning them into manufacturing hubs for small businesses and artists, and education centers for local stem programs and schools. And we do this in developing and developed nations alike in an effort to reduce waste and boost local economy.
(scroll down to see all our current sites)
3. Scale global means we take this local implementation idea and do it in as many places as possible. That means we take the same ideas and we implement them not just from sea to shining sea, but from villages in Vietnam and India to cities in Latin America. We do this so we can create opportunities for people around the world as well as a cleaner planet for all.
Order fulfillment for local customers.
Community maker-space/ product service center.
Community recycle wash/sorting area.
Delivery for recycled goods/extrusion area.
Full Recycle Sorting/Washing.
At each of our centers, any recycle brought in can be washed and sorted to prepare it for shredding. This is done by volunteers or by community members themselves in the self-service area.
Plastic Grinding.
Our centers are equipped with full-feature plastic grinders that take plastic waste and slice it up into little chips just the right size that's required for the extrusion into filament.
Filament Extrusion.
All our centers have full-feature filament extrusion machines allowing both our volunteers and paid staff to recycle plastic in-house.
Local Fulfillment.
Filament extruded at out local service centers is used to fulfill any local filament orders which reduces shipping distances, cost, and harm to the environment.
Small Business & Community.
We partner with small businesses in the area around our centers understanding their needs and working with them to produce quality components at fair prices. We also partner with maker programs hosting events and workshops. Finally, our centers serve as a hub for "making" in the community.
*School FIRST Robotics, Science Olympiad and other teams are welcome too!
Product Servicing.
Local customers can get help with their own 3D printers, filament labs filament, and any other filament labs products at our service centers. Our paid, locally-hired technicians provide technical support on-site or at the center itself.
*Support is NOT limited to just our printers, come talk to us for more info!