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How to Recycle Your FDM and PolyJet Material Containers

It’s important to keep 3D printing environmentally friendly by recycling your used cartridges, canisters, spools, print engines and containers.

Don’t let U.S. waste disposal regulations intimidate you. Anyone with a Stratasys FDM or PolyJet printer can send old cartridges and canisters back to Stratasys and they’ll handle the disposal for you. It’s completely free and super easy, so there’s no excuse not to!

Here’s how you can recycle your FDM or non-hazardous PolyJet material containers easily through Stratasys’ new updated recycling program:

  1. Bundle up your old cartridges. If you are returning 3 to 5 units, bundle up the original boxes and tape them together securely. If you are returning 6 or more units, you’ll need to put all of these in a shipping box. The maximum box size is 30 x 24 x 24 inches (760 x 600 x 600 mm) and the maximum shipping weight is 70 lbs. (32 kg) per box.
  1. Print a return shipping label. Go to the Stratasys website where you can fill out a form with details about the size and weight of your package. Here you will be able to print out a pre-paid UPS shipping label.
  1. Place the return label on the box.
  1. Call UPS to pick up the package or deliver the box to your closest UPS store. These parcels will be delivered to Stratasys’ new recycling facility in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, which complies with all current waste disposal regulations. One of the cool things about the new facility is that it operates in collaboration with Lifeworks, a nonprofit organization serving people with disabilities.

So there you have it – a super simple way to keep 3D printing green… and get some of that storage space back!

author avatar
Christine Archer

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