It's PLA. I honestly hadn't considered the microplastics when using this material as a growing container. Though I do know not to use it to make cups and bowls and stuff that you eat out of.
I think my printer can print ABS, although I've never tried. Would that material be safer to grow in?
Thank you for the knowledge! It looks like foodgrade petg is 3 times the price and I don't plan on changing nozzles and stuff to keep everything kosher anyway. So I reckon I'll use regular petg and hit it with Shellac for the redux. Unless you have a food safe resin seal to recommend based off your research?
Hobby woodworker here. Shellac is great for an initial seal, but isn't waterproof. I suggest using a two part epoxy instead. You don't need a very thick coat, so you could even use a crack filler and/or self leveling variety.
No problem - yeah that will probably be just fine, at non-commercial scale the seal will probably never get worn off and if you did ever notice spotting you can just reseal.
Unless you have a food safe resin seal to recommend based off your research?
Nope not yet! Still in the structural phase here so when I get to printing I will share for sure.
I just looked for a study I remembered. One has to be careful as the study is commissioned, not peer-reviewed and they clearly have an agenda with this.
However there is a compelling case that PLA will break down without leaving microplastics over time. Ingestion might still not be better than PETG or ABS, but that's not really clear to me. In the long run PLA seems to be the lest bad though.
it can make them more brittle (eapecially alongside prolonged time in the elements outside), but in a controlled environment like this it should be fine for a while :)
Depends on the filament type. Stuff like PLA and PETG have issues like that. ABS and ASA generally don't. Outdoor stuff should generally be done in ABS or ASA (though I prefer to avoid them otherwise).
Depends on the usecase though. If it's something you could reasonably lose in nature (like markers you put in the ground, small signs and such) I'd rather use pure PHA. It will degrade of course, but that's a good thing after all. I'd rather reprint some small utilities occasionally than damaging the very nature I'm trying to foster after all.
I love all the comments about people being worried about microplastics, as if it's not already impossible to avoid them. Don't get me wrong, adding more and going out of your way to eat plastic ain't great, but this is such a small scale fun little hobby!
You must have a massive printer to make those huge tubs though and that's what I'm intrigued by
What's even crazier to me is those don't even look like large walls! I don't suppose you could transport them like that?
I used to make (considerably smaller) hanging plant pots and boy were they thick. I really didn't want to have dirty rained down on me while watching TV haha. How well have yours held up?
The walls aren't super thick but the guy who designed this thing did a great job. I pick them up all the time, I actually take them to the sink to water them instead of taking the water to them because it's less messy.
Wow that's crazy to me! (Am not quite as thin as I imagined) Appreciate the info and the link. Would love to hear how they're doing in another 6 months to a year :).
have I got some almond flavored cookies for you! careful though. eat too many and you might have early organ failure, one or two should be fine though 😉
Not to hate on your hobby, but why would you grow lettuce using artificial light? Doesn't seem very economical given that lettuce is typically not very expensive
I'm not sure where you live, but where I'm at it feels like everything is expensive. Want a head of lettuce? That's $5. You want that same head to still be good and fresh 2 weeks later? Ha! That'll be another $5.
Whereas my 60 watt Mars Hydro (the big one) only uses $3 in electricity per month. Now the fan and the smaller supplementary light use power too. Idk how much, but it couldn't be more than the purpose made grow light. So let's call it $6 per month for fresh lettuce whenever I want it. Can't beat that with a stick, bud.
I'll have to check lettuce prices next time I'm at the grocery store, but there's no way I'm paying $5 for a head of lettuce.
And for reference, those 60W running 24/7 would be close to 12€ in electricity per month for me. Growing with artificial light seems like something worth doing for e.g. super spicy chilis or cannabis (if you're into either), but I never would've thought of lettuce.
I will note that price is from the local grocery store, because fuck Walmart. But also the main reason I grow it under artificial light instead of out in the garden is because it gets so hot here that lettuce starts to bolt in May or early June. This way I have non bitter lettuce year round.
I have no experience with lettuce, but I guess ~12h of light a day would suffice, definitely not 24.
So it would be more like 6€/month for you as well then.
I've used milk jugs as plant pots before. It's food safe material and you can easily design a build around it. Better not have anything 3D printed come into contact with food.
39 Comments
lowspeedchase@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 46 pts · 362d
Is this PLA or ABS? Not to be 'that guy' ^TM^ but I would be worried about microplastics and leaching if you are eating that lettuce!
unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de · 23 pts · 362d
Idk about ABS, but PLA definitely leeches unhealthy chemicals and will break down into microplastics in soil. It doesnt decompose.
lowspeedchase@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 18 pts · 362d
Yup and the constant UV/moisture exposure will expedite the process, that's why I was asking!
Marafon@sh.itjust.works · 8 pts · 362d
It's PLA. I honestly hadn't considered the microplastics when using this material as a growing container. Though I do know not to use it to make cups and bowls and stuff that you eat out of.
I think my printer can print ABS, although I've never tried. Would that material be safer to grow in?
lowspeedchase@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 16 pts · 362d
Certified food-grade PETG + food safe resin seal is the best from what I have read (I researched a bunch as I am building a greenhouse)
Marafon@sh.itjust.works · 8 pts · 362d
Thank you for the knowledge! It looks like foodgrade petg is 3 times the price and I don't plan on changing nozzles and stuff to keep everything kosher anyway. So I reckon I'll use regular petg and hit it with Shellac for the redux. Unless you have a food safe resin seal to recommend based off your research?
Thanks again!
IMALlama@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 362d
Hobby woodworker here. Shellac is great for an initial seal, but isn't waterproof. I suggest using a two part epoxy instead. You don't need a very thick coat, so you could even use a crack filler and/or self leveling variety.
felbane@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 359d
Many 2k epoxies aren't food safe, hence the recommendation of food-safe resin as a sealer.
lowspeedchase@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 5 pts · 362d
No problem - yeah that will probably be just fine, at non-commercial scale the seal will probably never get worn off and if you did ever notice spotting you can just reseal.
Nope not yet! Still in the structural phase here so when I get to printing I will share for sure.
Marafon@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 362d
Your greenhouse design looks very cool! Consider me subscribed! Looking forward to seeing your progress.
witty_username@feddit.nl · 5 pts · 362d
lowspeedchase@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 361d
Thanks I will share!
brathoven@feddit.org · 5 pts · 362d
I just looked for a study I remembered. One has to be careful as the study is commissioned, not peer-reviewed and they clearly have an agenda with this. However there is a compelling case that PLA will break down without leaving microplastics over time. Ingestion might still not be better than PETG or ABS, but that's not really clear to me. In the long run PLA seems to be the lest bad though.
https://hollandbioplastics.nl/actueel/new-meta-study-highlights-that-hydrolysis-prevents-the-formation-of-persistent-pla-microplastics-in-the-environment/?hl=de-DE
lowspeedchase@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 361d
Interesting, thanks for sharing - taking this with a grain as you mentioned though.
hobbsc@lemmy.sdf.org · 9 pts · 362d
AmazingAwesomator@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 362d
it can make them more brittle (eapecially alongside prolonged time in the elements outside), but in a controlled environment like this it should be fine for a while :)
frezik@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 4 pts · 362d
Depends on the filament type. Stuff like PLA and PETG have issues like that. ABS and ASA generally don't. Outdoor stuff should generally be done in ABS or ASA (though I prefer to avoid them otherwise).
Natanox@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 361d
Depends on the usecase though. If it's something you could reasonably lose in nature (like markers you put in the ground, small signs and such) I'd rather use pure PHA. It will degrade of course, but that's a good thing after all. I'd rather reprint some small utilities occasionally than damaging the very nature I'm trying to foster after all.
Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de · 7 pts · 362d
Sure... a typical setup strictly for growing "lettuce". Nothing else to see here...!
Marafon@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 362d
🤫
Rolive@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 359d
The devils lettuce is also lettuce, right?
Zoot@reddthat.com · 6 pts · 362d
I love all the comments about people being worried about microplastics, as if it's not already impossible to avoid them. Don't get me wrong, adding more and going out of your way to eat plastic ain't great, but this is such a small scale fun little hobby!
You must have a massive printer to make those huge tubs though and that's what I'm intrigued by
Geometrinen_Gepardi@sopuli.xyz · 7 pts · 362d
This, the amount of potential plastic ingestion from using these pots is nothing.
Marafon@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 362d
It's a decent size for sure but I am constantly finding bigger stuff that I want to print that doesn't fit lol.
Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro by the way. It has been a great first printer but my next one will have a truly monster build plate.
Zoot@reddthat.com · 3 pts · 362d
What's even crazier to me is those don't even look like large walls! I don't suppose you could transport them like that?
I used to make (considerably smaller) hanging plant pots and boy were they thick. I really didn't want to have dirty rained down on me while watching TV haha. How well have yours held up?
Marafon@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 362d
The walls aren't super thick but the guy who designed this thing did a great job. I pick them up all the time, I actually take them to the sink to water them instead of taking the water to them because it's less messy.
You can find the design here: https://www.printables.com/model/762433-expanded-a-wider-planter
Zoot@reddthat.com · 4 pts · 362d
Wow that's crazy to me! (Am not quite as thin as I imagined) Appreciate the info and the link. Would love to hear how they're doing in another 6 months to a year :).
Marafon@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 362d
For sure! If I remember you'll get an update lol
GreenKnight23@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 362d
have I got some almond flavored cookies for you! careful though. eat too many and you might have early organ failure, one or two should be fine though 😉
Grass@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 362d
looks nice but that is a great way to get microplastic infused lettuce
Marafon@sh.itjust.works · 14 pts · 362d
But it tastes way better than the micro plastic infused lettuce at the grocery store.
Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 362d
Is it? Can you source this fact?
ftbd@feddit.org · 5 pts · 361d
Not to hate on your hobby, but why would you grow lettuce using artificial light? Doesn't seem very economical given that lettuce is typically not very expensive
Marafon@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 361d
I'm not sure where you live, but where I'm at it feels like everything is expensive. Want a head of lettuce? That's $5. You want that same head to still be good and fresh 2 weeks later? Ha! That'll be another $5.
Whereas my 60 watt Mars Hydro (the big one) only uses $3 in electricity per month. Now the fan and the smaller supplementary light use power too. Idk how much, but it couldn't be more than the purpose made grow light. So let's call it $6 per month for fresh lettuce whenever I want it. Can't beat that with a stick, bud.
ftbd@feddit.org · 2 pts · 361d
I'll have to check lettuce prices next time I'm at the grocery store, but there's no way I'm paying $5 for a head of lettuce. And for reference, those 60W running 24/7 would be close to 12€ in electricity per month for me. Growing with artificial light seems like something worth doing for e.g. super spicy chilis or cannabis (if you're into either), but I never would've thought of lettuce.
Marafon@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 361d
I will note that price is from the local grocery store, because fuck Walmart. But also the main reason I grow it under artificial light instead of out in the garden is because it gets so hot here that lettuce starts to bolt in May or early June. This way I have non bitter lettuce year round.
myotheraccount@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 361d
I have no experience with lettuce, but I guess ~12h of light a day would suffice, definitely not 24. So it would be more like 6€/month for you as well then.
DarkCloud@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 362d
Looking forward to when we can print the lettuce directly.
stoly@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 362d
Now THAT's a good solution, so much better than trying to do it in one of those silly pod setups that don't give enough room for growth.
ElcaineVolta@kbin.melroy.org · 3 pts · 362d
what a beautiful image!
Rolive@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 359d
I've used milk jugs as plant pots before. It's food safe material and you can easily design a build around it. Better not have anything 3D printed come into contact with food.