<p>All brands and shops that I know of use rPLA name for recycled PLA. However, this is neither a chemical name abbreviation, like PLA, nor a naming standard that's enforced by any agency. Thus, every time you want to buy rPLA, you must check if it really means recycled PLA. Because it <em>can</em> mean something else and manufacturer won't break any laws by doing it.</p>
<p>Hopefully the name will solidify soon, and anyone who sells anything but recycled PLA as rPLA will risk getting sued for false advertising. But we'll have to wait for that.</p>
<p>Be aware that &quot;up to 100% recycled material&quot; means any non-zero number equal or lower than 100%. So 1% of recycled materials meets this declaration as well as 90%. Only when manufacturer gives straight number, or &quot;at least&quot; number, we can be sure that amount of recycled material is what we expect it to.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-12-05T07:51:02.490Z
Great answer; once it does, I hope there is also a minimum percentage recycled requirement. My supplier claims 95% recycled, but I see some suppliers claiming as high as 100%, which seems unlikely.
Bob Ortiz
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-12-05T08:14:42.457Z
@BobOrtiz "up to 100%" means any non-zero number equal or lower than 100%
Mołot
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-12-05T08:59:52.290Z
You're right that some do this. "Up to" should be illegal, in my opinion, in most sales and marketing contexts. Language needs to be specific and clear in this case. The suppliers I encountered always stated "minimal 95%", ">95%" or ">=95%".
Bob Ortiz
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-12-05T09:14:38.243Z
Another question about this would be about the term 'industrial waste'. Even if a minimum or "at least" number is available, what is the definition of 'industrial waste' and where did that 'waste' come from? If the production methods are purposefully 'wasting' a lot of filament, it's also easy to have 'min. 95% recycled'. My supplier doesn't even have a recycling program for me to send it back and the options for that are still very limited or expensive in the EU. So, even 'minimal 99% recycled from industrial waste' raises some questions.
Bob Ortiz
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-12-06T08:37:41.867Z
PLA is produced for other uses than 3D printing, and plants using such material usually produce sprues and such as waste.
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-12-04T23:34:24.967Z
2023-12-05T08:17:36.847Z
2023-12-05T08:17:36.847Z
Mołot
<p>I see mixed terms such as 'rPLA, Recycled PLA, Recycled rPLA' used by different filament producers without a clear explanation or a standard definition.</p>
<p>Does it all mean Recycled PLA, or is rPLA a different material?</p>

<pla><filament><recycling><terminology><rpla>
Does rPLA stand for Recycled PLA, or is it a different type of material?
Bob Ortiz
# Does rPLA stand for Recycled PLA, or is it a different type of material?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-12-04)

I see mixed terms such as 'rPLA, Recycled PLA, Recycled rPLA' used by different filament producers without a clear explanation or a standard definition.

Does it all mean Recycled PLA, or is rPLA a different material?

**Tags:** pla, filament, recycling, terminology, rpla

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2023-12-04. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

All brands and shops that I know of use rPLA name for recycled PLA. However, this is neither a chemical name abbreviation, like PLA, nor a naming standard that's enforced by any agency. Thus, every time you want to buy rPLA, you must check if it really means recycled PLA. Because it *can* mean something else and manufacturer won't break any laws by doing it.

Hopefully the name will solidify soon, and anyone who sells anything but recycled PLA as rPLA will risk getting sued for false advertising. But we'll have to wait for that.

Be aware that "up to 100% recycled material" means any non-zero number equal or lower than 100%. So 1% of recycled materials meets this declaration as well as 90%. Only when manufacturer gives straight number, or "at least" number, we can be sure that amount of recycled material is what we expect it to.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Great answer; once it does, I hope there is also a minimum percentage recycled requirement. My supplier claims 95% recycled, but I see some suppliers claiming as high as 100%, which seems unlikely.  
> **username_1**: @BobOrtiz "up to 100%" means any non-zero number equal or lower than 100%  
> **username_0**: You're right that some do this. "Up to" should be illegal, in my opinion, in most sales and marketing contexts. Language needs to be specific and clear in this case. The suppliers I encountered always stated "minimal 95%", ">95%" or ">=95%".  
> **username_0**: Another question about this would be about the term 'industrial waste'. Even if a minimum or "at least" number is available, what is the definition of 'industrial waste' and where did that 'waste' come from? If the production methods are purposefully 'wasting' a lot of filament, it's also easy to have 'min. 95% recycled'. My supplier doesn't even have a recycling program for me to send it back and the options for that are still very limited or expensive in the EU. So, even 'minimal 99% recycled from industrial waste' raises some questions.  
> **username_2**: PLA is produced for other uses than 3D printing, and plants using such material usually produce sprues and such as waste.  

---

