6 Recycling Ideas for Empty Filament Spools

If you’ve been 3D printing for quite a while now, then you’ve probably got a pile of filament spools lying around. What do you want to do with it? While it is easy to chuck them into the bin, take the environmentally-conscious step and recycle your spools! 


While it is still not possible to return the empty spools to the manufacturers for reuse, we can do other things with them such as recycle them into new things. Here are recycling ideas for your empty filament spools.


1. Spool organiser

Reduce the clutter at your workstation by creating compartments or organisers for small parts and accessories out of your empty spools. There are many designs online to suit your needs. You can also create them and give them away as gifts to your friends and family. Not only will you be creating something personalised but you’ll also be helping the environment. 


Spool Storage Boxes by Skalla_J


filament spools screw box by 123MU


Vertical Filament Spool Parts Drawer (Customizable) by 3d-printy


2. Toys

You can give joy to kids and your feline babies using empty spools. You can fashion them into easy-to-print giant spinning tops or an interactive hiding mouse toy for your cats to entertain them for hours on end. 

 

Filament Spool Tops by LoboCNC


EMPTY SPOOL - CAT TOY by Impresion3d__


3. Shelving

If you want a rotating shelf where you can store your art supplies and paints, check out this paint holder! You can easily attach it to a cupboard or wall. 


TURNABLE PAINT HOLDER FROM EMPTY SPOOL FILAMENT by mariospeed


4. Lamp

An empty spool can also be used to decorate and light up your home. You only need a macrame thread, lamp cable with socket, and bulb and voila - you’ve got a cool overhead lamp. 


SPOOL MACRAME LAMP by Arkc


5. Cable reel

Keep your cables organised and prevent them from getting jumbled with this 3D-printed cable reel. You only need an empty spool, 12mm tubes, and some assembly. 


EMPTY FILAMENT ROLL TO CABLE ROLL by bsd



6. Yarn Winder


If you knit, this yarn winder will prevent yarn from being tangled. It is similar to the cable reel above and can be used not just for yarns but for any wires, cables, and ropes. 


WINDER FOR RE-PURPOSING SPENT FILAMENT SPOOLS by ericcherry

 

BONUS: Spool Tower by Digital Taxidermy

Create amazing dystopian towers and villages with your empty spools with Digital Taxidermy’s designs! They’ve found ways to make art out of filament spools. With 20+ different designs, it became a huge success on Kickstarter. Since then they have expanded to spool tanks and a second collection, which is now on Kickstarter. 

If you want to try creating your own spool tower, you can download their free STL files here

Transform your empty filament spools!


Bring a new life to your empty filament spools by turning them into functional items that you can use and give away as gifts. For inquiries, feel free to email or call us

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