Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, has emerged as a transformative technology across various industries due to its potential for design flexibility, material efficiency, and reduced production lead times. As global attention increasingly shifts toward environmental sustainability, there is a growing need to evaluate the ecological implications and opportunities associated with AM. This comprehensive review explores the current state of sustainable and green additive manufacturing (SGAM) technologies and practices, highlighting innovations that reduce energy consumption, minimize material waste, and incorporate renewable or recyclable materials. This study focuses on the utilization of recyclable thermoplastics combined with biodegradable polymers, exploring sustainable source materials, cold fabrication techniques, and cyclic lifecycle strategies integrated with renewable energy systems. Despite its potential, SGAM faces key challenges such as material compatibility, scalability of manufacturing processes, mechanical property optimization, and the need for standardized production protocols. Nevertheless, this work finds that SGAM devices are effective in minimizing environmental impact across the entire manufacturing process, aligning with predominant research trends that emphasize strategic predictive models to guide future developments in AM system implementation. The review concludes with future directions and research opportunities to enhance the environmental performance of AM technologies, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable manufacturing landscape.
Dipta et al. (Sat,) studied this question.