Dive Brief:

• Researchers in the Open Sustainability Technology group at Michigan Technological University created a new resin code identification system based on recycling codes from China.
• Researchers zeroed in on polymers that were capable of being recycled in 3D printing.
• The group devised the system because many different types of plastics were placed in category seven — causing an issue for reusing plastics in 3D printers.

Dive Insight:

The group was able to reduce production costs when using the 3-D printer by recycling plastics. The cost of reusing plastic costs 10 cents per kilogram, as opposed to $30 per kilogram.