LOOP is launching a desktop filament recycler but does it really make sense?
In general, any initiative that drives circularity in 3D printing is a welcome one, even if its benefits are not immediately evident
The idea of recycling filament at home has been floating around for years, but few products have come close to making it practical. LOOP, a desktop filament recycler developed by a team based in Canada, is one of the more polished attempts to solve that challenge. It aims to turn your failed 3D prints and old parts into usable filament through a three-step process: blend, extrude, and spool. But does it actually make sense to invest in one?
How LOOP works
LOOP works by grinding down used 3D printed parts, melting the shredded plastic, and extruding new filament. The machine promises tight diameter tolerance (±0.07 mm), crucial for print reliability. It also includes noise reduction features, a charcoal filter for fumes, and allows users to select filament diameters between 0.5 mm and 3.5 mm. Materials like PLA, ABS, and PETG are supported, making it suitable for common desktop printing needs.
There’s no doubt that LOOP offers convenience. The all-in-one design means you don’t have to operate separate grinding and extrusion units. The machine is also compact enough for desktop use and, unlike many DIY setups, it’s designed with safety and usability in mind. Another advantage is the potential cost savings if you regularly go through large amounts of filament, especially if you print at scale or operate a farm of printers.
What to consider before buying
However, the economics and practicality of filament recycling aren’t simple. First, not all prints recycle well. Mixing different colors or types of plastic—even within the same category—can lead to weak or inconsistent filament. Contaminants and moisture can further affect quality. That means you may need to dry and sort the material carefully before use. In addition, it’s one thing to recycle PLA but other tougher plastics, which would benefit more from being recycled (due to their higher cost and non-compostability), may not be as easy to grind proficiently in a desktop system.
Additionally, producing consistent filament at home, even with built-in sensors, doesn’t guarantee results as reliable as commercial spools. For functional prototyping or production-level printing, inconsistent filament diameter could cause nozzle jams or dimensional errors.
There’s also the environmental question. LOOP markets itself as sustainable, but filament recycling still consumes much electricity. And if the machine becomes obsolete or breaks, it adds another layer of waste. So while saving prints from the trash, you still use energy and resources to process them. Generally, the best way to save resources is not to overuse things, even if you can save on material costs.
Price vs. value
LOOP is priced at $2,499, with early backers paying $100 to reserve a unit at 40% off. That still puts it over $1,400 for early buyers. It may take years for hobbyists who print occasionally to see financial returns, if ever. On the other hand, for schools, maker labs, or businesses producing lots of PLA prototypes, the ability to recycle on-site might justify the cost.
LOOP deserves credit for attempting to solve a long-standing gap in desktop 3D printing. It looks well-engineered and thoughtfully designed, especially for early adopters of recycling hardware. But whether it makes sense depends on how often you print, how much waste you produce, and how confident you are in using recycled filament in your workflow.
If your main interest is environmental impact, it’s a helpful step, but not a perfect one. And if your goal is to save money, you’ll need to crunch the numbers before committing. Like many emerging tools in 3D printing, LOOP is best suited to users willing to experiment and accept some trial and error along the way.
At VoxelMatters, we’d be curious to try it out.
