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The potential of converting plastic waste to 3D printed products in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Researchers examined the potential of converting plastic waste into 3D printing filaments across sub-Saharan Africa, finding strong community interest but significant technical barriers including inconsistent filament diameter, degraded mechanical properties, and harmful emissions during extrusion, alongside a critical need for local capacity building.
Additive manufacturing (3D printing) can transform low-income societies with underdeveloped infrastructure and inadequate manufacturing capabilities. However, uptake in sub-Saharan Africa is still very low. This study adopted a transdisciplinary approach which included critical synthesis of the extant literature, laboratory experiment and a cross sectional engagement with stakeholders, to examine the potential of converting plastic waste to 3D printed products in sub-Saharan Africa. The study showed that while several extruders have been developed in the last decade, there are still many challenges some of which include difficulty to produce filaments with consistent diameter, degraded mechanical properties and health hazards from emissions during extrusion. Furthermore, it was observed that communities across sub-Saharan Africa are interested in 3D printing but do not have sufficient understanding. The study highlights the need for building local capacity to develop, operate and maintain technologies associated with 3D printing.
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This review explores how combining 3D printing technology with distributed recycling could help communities process their own plastic waste locally rather than relying on centralized facilities. Researchers found that while this approach shows promise for creating a more circular economy, challenges remain around material quality, contamination, and economic viability. The study highlights community-based recycling as an important complement to traditional waste management systems.
Ensuring sustainability in plastics use in Africa: consumption, waste generation, and projections
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This review examines plastic consumption, waste generation, and future projections for African nations, finding rapidly increasing plastic use alongside limited waste management infrastructure. The study calls for African-specific sustainability policies to prevent a major escalation in plastic pollution as economic development accelerates across the continent.
Fused deposition modelling approach using 3D printing and recycled industrial materials for a sustainable environment: a review
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Researchers reviewed the use of fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing as a strategy for repurposing industrial plastic waste, examining how recycled polymer materials can be processed into filaments and printed into new objects to reduce environmental plastic accumulation.
From polymers to microplastics
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This review examines Africa's plastic value chain from production and import through use and end-of-life phases, drawing on existing literature and online data resources. Although Africa currently has low plastic production and consumption relative to other regions, the chapter argues that a lifecycle perspective and digital tools are essential for accelerating the continent's transition to a circular plastic economy.
Upcycling plastic waste through empirical implementation of large-scale 3D printing
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This design research project explored large-scale 3D printing as a method for upcycling waste plastic into usable products, addressing the quality concerns that have limited plastic recycling adoption. While focused on waste reduction rather than microplastics specifically, reducing plastic waste helps prevent the breakdown of plastics into microplastics.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.