The development of efficient waste valorization strategies has emerged as an important field in the overall efforts for alignment with the environmental goals that have been set by the European Union (EU) Green Deal regarding the development of sustainable circular economy models. Additive manufacturing has emerged as a sustainable method for secondary life product development with the main advantages of it being a form of net-zero waste production and having the ability to successfully transport complex design to actual products finding applications in the industry for rapid prototyping or for tailored products. The insertion of eco-friendly sustainable materials in these processes can lead to significant reduction in material footprints and lower energy demands for the manufacturing process, helping achieve Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG12) set by the EU for responsible production and consumption.

Recycled 3D printed thermoplastics generally experience a degradation in mechanical and thermal properties compared to their virgin counterparts, though the extent varies significantly depending on the polymer type, the number of recycling cycles, additive content, and reprocessing methods. In some cases, careful control of these factors or the addition of reinforcing agents can help retain or even improve certain properties.