Implications for the Environment

The implications on the environment due to 3D printing can have a very positive effect. Some of the areas that 3D printing can positively affect the environment are; transportation costs, lack of unsold products, less wasted materials, extending the lifetime of a product, and recycling is easier due to 3D printing products coming from one raw material also making it cost effective. 3D printing overall will have a positive effect both in its industry and beyond, but like with many forms of new phase technology there are areas that need work. A couple of those areas are the impacts of energy use from 3D printing, and materials being used that may emit toxic chemicals.
I believe these factors are the ones that will have the biggest influence on the environment and 3D printing driving the industry towards positive change.

The Impact of 3D Printing on Transportation Costs:

If we think about the process from raw materials being gathered, refined, turned into parts, assembled, and sold in the markets, there is a lot required as far as logistics with even one product. The first major impact on the transportation industry due to 3D printing will be on the logistics supply chain through the service parts industry. This will then trickle down into the manufacturing and construction distribution drastically reducing the mass manufacturing process of items from great distances as well as the distribution process becoming localized. Taking these products everyday thousands of miles in transportation creates a very large environmental footprint. With 3D printing the products creation can be localized. This means print on demand is capable and parts will not be stacked on shelves in a warehouse waiting to be sold. The consumer can find a product in a magazine, online, or a picture, take it to a local 3D print shop and have it made on the spot eliminating the costs involved with logistics. Due to this technology

we will see the large transportation hubs become smaller and