Return packaging and prints for recycling
Happy update:
We now accept 3D prints made from any brand of filament for recycling, but they must be clean and neatly sorted! Check out the new instructions below. :-)
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Are you also sick and tired of empty filament spools piling up in your printer room? Feeling guilty sending that broken Baby Yoda to landfill? It's your lucky day, because KiwiFil was created to close the loop on 3D printing! Below is what we can and cannot recycle.
Download it as printer friendly PDF here.
Want store credit for your returned spools, prints etc? Make sure to fill out our Return and Recycling form and include it with your return.
Being a small company, we unfortunately can't cover the shipping cost, but you can drop it off for free at our factory in Tokoroa if you don't want to mail it, or you can drop it off at our fabulous re-sellers Bits4Bots and Marvle 3D in Auckland or Formtech in Christchurch. (Please note, store credit may not be issued if you drop it off at the resellers; only if you ship it directly to KiwiFil in Tokoroa. Sorry about that, but it is too difficult for our resellers to administrate. However, if you include the filled out form, we may find it when we process your material, but it can take months before it makes it here).
FAQ about recycling
Do I get anything in return for sending prints and packaging to KiwiFil? I mean, don't you make a lot of money from the returned prints?
The truth is that there is no money in recycling. We would make much more money if we used all new material and didn't bother about re-using or recycling, but that wouldn't be the right thing to do.
KiwiFil was created to close the loop on 3D printing and make it more sustainable. We felt guilty for using a lot of plastic and thought there had to be a way to make 3D printing less wasteful. Re-using spools and all the other packing material and recycling unwanted prints is the right thing to do even if we make less money that way. It will take a community effort to make it happen, and we do need your help in keeping everything clean and sorted, and by returning it all to us. We know this is extra trouble and cost, so if you like, we will give you a bit of store credit that can be used at www.KiwiFil.shop - but only if you return it directly to us at KiwiFil in Tokoroa or to our dropoff location in Christchurch (see below)! Our resellers are currently not offering any store credit; it is simply too difficult for them to administrate, we hope you understand.
- KiwiFil boxes and spools: $1/each
- 1 kg plastic or fibreboard/cardboard spools from other brands: $1/each
- Clean 3D prints, neatly sorted by colour and labeled with type of material: $1/kg
- Zipper bags: $0.25/each
- Desiccant packages and box/bag instruction card: $0.1/each.
Make sure you include the Recycling and Return form in your shipment so we can send you a digital gift card. If you haven't heard anything from us within two months, please send us an email to make sure we haven't missed you note.
Returning discarded prints to KiwiFil sounds like a lot of trouble. Can't I just throw them in the council recycling bin?
No! Absolutely no! 3D prints will not be recycled if you put them in the regular recycling bin - they will be sent directly to landfill. The only 3D printed related items that can be recycled through the council are cardboard boxes and cardboard spools. The plastic filament bags can be recycled through the soft plastics recycling scheme.
Can I return 3D prints made from any brand of filament, or only KiwiFil filament?
Yes, absolutely. See the complete instructions about. Note: we can NOT recycle resin prints, only prints made with filament.
Can I see the recycling in person? It sounds so cool!
Yes, but we prefer that you contact us first. However, if you are passing Tokoroa you can always take the chance and knock on the door to see if we are in. KiwiFil is a working factory and we stay very busy, but if we if have the time we will give you the backstage tour of our operation. Just make sure to wear closed-toe shoes!
Mailing/drop off address
Packaging material for re-use and 3D prints for recycling can be mailed to, or dropped at our factory:
KiwiFil 3D Ltd.
24 Campbell Street
Tokoroa
Tokoroa, 3420
South Waikato
New Zealand
We are here most of the time, but if you pass Tokoroa at some ungodly hour, we do have a "hut" near the front door where you can drop off stuff.
Please note - we have recently moved from Auckland to Tokoroa. Please don't send anything to our old address in Auckland.
However, you can now drop off in Auckland at our fabulous re-sellers Marvle 3D and Bits4Bots (note that you may not get any store credit if you drop it off here, but you will still help closing the loop on 3D printing). You can also check out their cool range of 3D printers, dryers, high tech filament etc. at the same time.
Bits4Bots
76E Stoddard Road
Mount Roskill
Auckland, 1041
New Zealand
https://www.bits4bots.co.nz/
Marvle 3D
228 Bush Road
Rosedale
Auckland, 0632
New Zealand
https://marvle3d.co.nz/
If you are located on the south island, you can drop it off at our awesome reseller Formtech. Formtech also sells 3D printers, dryers, and a range of advanced engineering filaments such as nylon.
Formtech
Unit 11/7 Seven Mile Drive
Belfast
Christchurch 8051
New Zealand
https://www.formtech.co.nz/
Another option on the south island is to ship it to our transport depot in Amberley, north of Christchurch. John is a truck driver for an engineering company and helps us transport all the spools, prints etc. up to Tokoroa when there is room on an empty truck going north anyway.
KiwiFil
c/o John Hodgson
138B Carters Road
Amberley
Canterbury, 7410
Questions? Send us an email!
Thank you for closing the loop on 3D printing!
// Eva & Bill