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Disposing of Formlabs packaging

Disposing of Formlabs packaging

This article provides guidance on how to responsibly dispose of packaging materials for Formlabs consumables.

Note:

These recommendations are valid under the assumption that packaging materials are free of resin and nylon powder.

Definitions

Household waste

Household waste is waste that is not recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, or hazardous.

Notice:

  • Do not pour liquid or partially cured resin into drains or dispose of it with household waste.
  • Do not pour solvent (IPA, TPM) that contains dissolved resin into drains or dispose of it with household waste. Safe and appropriate disposal methods of used solvent vary by location.
  • For disposal purposes, vacuum bags and filters used to clean unsintered powder should be considered unsintered powder waste.

Stickers and tape

The recyclability of materials is not affected by the presence of stickers or tape. Stickers are burned off of plastics and become caught in pulp straining films during cardboard recycling.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS)

USA

There may be a dedicated expanded polystyrene (EPS) recycler in your region, but otherwise this material is non-recyclable by most community recycling centers unless otherwise specified.

Resin cartridge packaging (Form 4 and Form 4L)

A cartridge box, made of corrugated cardboard, with a plastic bag, made of polypropylene

Cardboard box

  • Material: Recycled cardboard
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection

Clear plastic cartridge bag

  • Material: Polypropylene (PP)
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection
A resin cartridge, made of polyethylene, polypropylene, and silicone rubber
  • Material: Blow molded polyethylene, silicone rubber, polypropylene, and polyethylene foam
  • Recommendation: Refer to the support article Disposing of resin cartridges for guidance on cartridge disposal. The intricate internal geometry of Formlabs cartridges necessitates specific disposal measures.

Resin cartridge packaging (Form 2, Form 3, and Form 3L)

A cartridge box, made of corrugated cardboard

Cardboard box

  • Material: Corrugated cardboard
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection
A clear plastic cartridge bag, made of 100% virgin polyethylene

Clear plastic cartridge bag

  • Material: 100% virgin polyethylene (PE) film
  • Recommendation: Recyclable at some facilities
A resin cartridge, made of high-density polyethylene and polypropylene

Cartridge body and skirt

  • Material: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP)
  • Recommendation: Refer to the support article Disposing of resin cartridges for guidance on cartridge disposal. The intricate internal geometry of Formlabs cartridges necessitates specific disposal measures.
A cartridge foam pad, made of polyethylene

Foam pad

  • Material: Polyethylene (PE) foam
  • Recommendation: Household waste
A bite valve cover, made of polyethylene terephthalate

Bite valve cover

  • Material: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection if free of resin
    • If coated with resin, cure resin with UV light (365 nm and 395 nm) or sunlight and dispose of it as household waste.

Cartridge packaging for Formlabs resins for biocompatible applications

A booklet, made of matte coated art paper

Instructions for use booklet

  • Material: Matte coated art paper
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection

Form 4 generation resin tank packaging

A Form 4 resin tank box, made of cardboard

 

Resin tank box

  • Material: Cardboard
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection
A Form 4 resin tank bag, made of polypropylene

Resin tank bag

  • Material: Polypropylene (PP)
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection if free of resin
    • If coated with resin, cure resin with UV light (365 nm and 395 nm) or sunlight and dispose of it as household waste.
A Form 4 resin tank cover, made of polypropylene

Resin tank cover

  • Material: Polypropylene (PP)
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection if free of resin
    • If coated with resin, cure resin with UV light (365 nm and 395 nm) or sunlight and dispose of it as household waste.
A Form 4 mixer, made of polyamide, polypropylene, stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum

Mixer

  • Material: Polyamide, polypropylene, stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection if free of resin
    • If coated with resin, cure resin with UV light (365 nm and 395 nm) or sunlight and dispose of it as household waste.
A Form 4 mixer box, made of cardboard

Mixer box

  • Material: Cardboard
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection

Form 4L generation resin tank packaging

A Form 4L resin tank box, made of cardboard

Resin tank box

  • Material: Cardboard
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection
A Form 4L resin tank bag, made of polypropylene

Resin tank bag

  • Material: Polypropylene (PP)
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection if free of resin
    • If coated with resin, cure resin with UV light (365 nm and 395 nm) or sunlight and dispose of it as household waste.
A Form 4L resin tank cover, made of polypropylene

Resin tank cover

  • Material: Polypropylene (PP)
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection if free of resin
    • If coated with resin, cure resin with UV light (365 nm and 395 nm) or sunlight and dispose of it as household waste.
Polyamide, polypropylene, stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum

Mixer

  • Material: A Form 4L mixer, made of polyamide, polypropylene, stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection if free of resin
    • If coated with resin, cure resin with UV light (365 nm and 395 nm) or sunlight and dispose of it as household waste.

Mixer box

  • Material: Cardboard
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection

Form 3/Form 3B resin tank packaging

A Form 3/Form 3B cartridge box, made of 3-mm-thick cardboard

Cardboard box (V1)

  • Material: Cardboard, 3 mm
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection
A Form 3/Form 3B cartridge box, made of 3-mm-thick cardboard, with a PET window

Cardboard box (V2)

  • Material: Cardboard, 3 mm, with PET window
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection
A Form 3/Form 3B mixer sleeve, made of polyethylene film

Mixer sleeve

  • Material: Polyethylene film
  • Recommendation: Recyclable at some facilities
A Form 3/Form 3B tank frame foarm, made of polyurethane

Tank frame foam

  • Material: Polyurethane (PU) foam
  • Recommendation: Household waste
Form 3/Form 3B mixer retention foam, made of polyurethane foam

Mixer retention foam

  • Material: Polyurethane foam
  • Recommendation: Household waste
A Form 3/Form 3B tank case, made of black polypropylene

Tank case V1

  • Material: Polypropylene (PP)
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection if free of resin
    • If coated with resin, cure resin with UV light (365 nm and 395 nm) or sunlight and dispose of it as household waste.

Tip:

Save the tank case and tank case lid to store your resin tanks between prints.

A Form 3/Form 3B tank box insert, made of polypropylene

Tank case V2

  • Material: Polypropylene (PP)
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection if free of resin
    • If coated with resin, cure resin with UV light (365 nm and 395 nm) or sunlight and dispose of it as household waste.

Tip:

For newer resin tanks, the shipping box also acts as the tank case. Save the box and included tray to store your resin tanks between prints.

A Form 3/Form 3B tank case lid, made of amber-tinted plastic

Tank case lid

  • Material: Plastic
  • Recommendation: Household waste
    • If coated with resin, cure resin with UV light (365 nm and 395 nm) or sunlight before disposal.

Tip:

Save the tank case and tank case lid to store your resin tanks between prints.

Mixer retention block

 

  • Material: Expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam, corrugated cardboard
  • Recommendation: Household waste (USA) or recyclable, curbside collection (other countries, depending on local regulations)

Form 3L/Form 3BL resin tank packaging

A Form 3L/Form 3BL tank box, made of 3-mm-thick cardboard

 

Cardboard box

  • Material: Cardboard, 3 mm
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection
A Form 3L/Form 3BL tank case, made of double gray cardboard and glossy coated art paper

Tank case

  • Material: Double gray cardboard and glossy coated art paper
  • Recommendation: Household waste

Tip:

Save the tank case and tank case tray to store your resin tanks between prints.

A Form 3/Form 3BL tank case tray, made of polypropylene

Tank case tray

  • Material: Polypropylene (PP)
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection if free of resin
    • If coated with resin, cure resin with UV light (365 nm and 395 nm) or sunlight and dispose of it as household waste.

Tip:

Save the tank case and tank case tray to store your resin tanks between prints.

Clear film from a Form 3L/Form 3BL tank case, made of polyethylene film and ethylene vinyl acetate film

Clear case film

  • Material: Polyethylene film and ethylene vinyl acetate film
  • Recommendation: Household waste

Mixer retention block

  • Material: Expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam
  • Recommendation: Household waste (USA) or recyclable, curbside collection (other countries, depending on local regulations)

Note:

The EPE foam and corrugated cardboard are adhered to one another and are hard to separate.

A Form 3/Form 3BL tank case inner padding, made of expanded polyethylene foam

Tank case inner padding

  • Material: Expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam
  • Recommendation: Household waste (USA) or recyclable, curbside collection (other countries, depending on local regulations)

Fuse 1 powder packaging

A Fuse 1 power cartridge box, made of corrugated cardboard

Cardboard box

  • Material: Corrugated cardboard
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection
A Fuse 1 powder credit card on backing, made of matte art paper and polyvinyl chloride

Powder credit card on backing

  • Material: Matte art paper and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
  • Recommendation:
    • Backing: Recyclable, curbside collection
    • Card: Household waste
A Fuse 1 powder jug, made of high-density polyethylene

Powder jug

  • Material: High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
  • Recommendation: Retain for later powder storage. High-density polyethylene is recyclable but this item should be treated as contaminated with/containing powder. Refer to the support article Powder care, storage, and disposal for guidance on HDPE disposal.
A Fuse 1 powder bag, made of aluminum-lined plastic

Powder bag

  • Material: Aluminum-lined plastic
  • Recommendation: Powder bags are not recyclable and should be treated as contaminated with or containing powder. For guidance on powder container disposal, refer to the support article Powder care, storage, and disposal.

Form 4 generation build platform packaging

A Form 4 Build Platform box, made of cardboard

Cardboard box

  • Material: Cardboard
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection
Form 4 Build Platform Flex padding, made of expanded polyethylene foam

Foam (Build Platform Flex only)

  • Material: Expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam
  • Recommendation: Household waste (USA) or recyclable, curbside collection (other countries, depending on local regulations)
A Form 4 Build Platform box, made of cardboard

Informational insert (Build Platform Flex only)

  • Material: Paper
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection

Form 4L generation build platform packaging

  • Material: Cardboard
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection
  • Material: Expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam
  • Recommendation: Household waste (USA) or recyclable, curbside collection (other countries, depending on local regulations)
  • Material: Paper
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection

Form 2 and Form 3/Form 3B build platform packaging

A build platform box for the Form 2/Form 3/Form 3B, made of corrugated cardboard

Cardboard box

  • Material: Corrugated cardboard
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection

Form 3L/Form 3BL build platform packaging

A build platform box for the Form 3L/Form 3BL, made of corrugated cardboard

Cardboard box

  • Material: Corrugated cardboard
  • Recommendation: Recyclable, curbside collection
Black foam padding for the Form 3L/Form 3BL build platform box, made of expanded polystyrene foam

Foam padding

  • Material: Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam
  • Recommendation: Household waste (USA) or recyclable, curbside collection (other countries, depending on local regulations)