ecospool / our-process

Our Process.

Materials accepted: PLA, PETG, ASA, ABS Recycling since: October 2025
README

Main Info.

What this is.

This page walks through what actually happens to your scrap after you drop it off — how it turns into usable filament again, and what you can expect from the spool that comes out the other end.

From drop-off to spool.

Everything that comes through the door is verified by EcoSpool's SORT, (Spectral Optical Recycling Type Scanner). This way we know exactly what material we're working with before it ever touches the line. From there it's shredded down, dried, and extruded into finished 1.75 mm filament.

Each of our four materials — PLA, PETG, ASA, and ABS — gets its own settings along the way. A spool of recycled PETG isn't just PLA run a little hotter; it's tuned end to end for what that material needs.

Where things stand.

We're in the middle of upgrading the line: adding a dedicated shredding step ahead of extrusion, instead of feeding scrap straight into one machine like we used to. Once it's running, that means cleaner regrind, less cross-contamination between batches, and tighter, more consistent spools across all four materials.

What's next?

  • Get the new shredding equipment installed and running.
  • Re-check quality on all four materials on the upgraded line.
  • Start tracking which drop-offs became which spool.
Build Log

Every step, logged.

A running history of the filament line — from the original secondhand extruder to the ordered two-stage Creality setup. Dates are approximate where exact timestamps weren't preserved.

10/2025 start
Historical
Line started on a secondhand single-screw extruder
The first version of the filament line — an older, generic single-screw extruder with no dedicated shredding stage or closed-loop diameter control.
Machines

What runs the line.

Equipment used to turn scrap into spool.

Machine
Description
Role
Status
Creality M1 ×2 Filament extruder
Dries and extrudes shredded regrind into finished 1.75 mm filament.
Extrusion
Ordered 5/29/2026
Creality R1 ×2 Plastic shredder
Shreds SORT-verified scrap into regrind ahead of extrusion — the line's first dedicated shredding stage.
Shredding
Ordered 5/29/2026
Filament Materials

What we recycle.

Every spool starts as verified scrap — sorted by SORT, shredded and dried, then extruded to spec. Four base materials run through the line. Pick one to see its print settings, source profile, and where it's typically used.

PLA

Polylactic Acid Highest recovery volume

The bulk of what comes through the door. Easy to sort by NIR signature, easy to reprocess, and forgiving on the extruder.

Print Settings
Nozzle temp195–215 °C
Bed temp50–60 °C
Bed adhesionBare glass or PEI, no glue needed
Cooling100% after first layer
EnclosureNot required
Source Profile
Typical inputFailed prints, purge, support waste
Made onCreality M1 Extruder

Best for

  • Prototypes and fit checks
  • Display models, low-load brackets
  • Anything printed indoors, not left in a hot car
PLA softens well below most summer attic or car temperatures — don't spec it for outdoor or heat-exposed parts.

PETG

Glycol-Modified Polyethylene Terephthalate Growing volume

Tougher and more heat-resistant than PLA, without ABS's warping or fumes. Recovery volume is climbing.

Print Settings
Nozzle temp230–250 °C
Bed temp70–80 °C
Bed adhesionPEI sheet, light glue for tall parts
Cooling30–50%
EnclosureNot required
Source Profile
Typical inputFunctional part rejects, clamshell offcuts
Made onCreality M1 Extruder

Best for

  • Mechanical parts, brackets, jigs
  • Anything that needs to flex slightly instead of snap
  • Mild outdoor exposure
Runs stringier than PLA. Recycled PETG especially benefits from a thorough dry cycle before printing.

ASA

Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Lower volume, higher value

ABS's UV-stable cousin. Smaller volume comes through the door, but it's the one category PLA and PETG genuinely can't cover.

Print Settings
Nozzle temp240–260 °C
Bed temp90–100 °C
Bed adhesionPEI + glue stick recommended
Cooling0–20%
EnclosureRecommended
Source Profile
Typical inputOutdoor bracket rejects, automotive trim scrap
Made onCreality M1 Extruder

Best for

  • Outdoor brackets and enclosures
  • Parts exposed to sun and weather
  • Anything ABS-grade that also needs UV stability
Vents fumes similar to ABS while printing — enclosure and ventilation matter more here than for PLA or PETG.

ABS

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Steady, small volume

The old standby for tough, machinable parts. Smaller share of intake than PLA or PETG, but reliably present.

Print Settings
Nozzle temp230–250 °C
Bed temp95–110 °C
Bed adhesionABS slurry or glue stick
Cooling0–10%
EnclosureRequired
Source Profile
Typical inputPrinter housings, enclosure panels
Made onCreality M1 Extruder

Best for

  • Machinable, sandable, acetone-smoothable parts
  • Indoor enclosures and housings
  • Parts needing higher heat resistance than PLA
Warps without an enclosure and vents noticeably while printing. Not the easiest recycled material to start with.
IP & Use

A record, not a license.

This page establishes production history and communicates the process without functioning as a complete disclosure of it.

EcoSpool's filament production process and material profiles are proprietary EcoSpool development. This page documents equipment history, process decisions, and demonstrated results. Publication does not grant permission to reproduce, sell, or create derivative processes.

Process details may be intentionally incomplete or summarized. Unless stated otherwise, names, branding, documentation, and related intellectual property remain under EcoSpool's control.