Made as Needed
The EPA waste hierarchy puts source reduction and reuse ahead of recycling and disposal, so we avoid making unnecessary objects in the first place. Each piece is crafted to order. EPA
Sustainability
A Lasting Impact
Understanding the materials we use and their impact on the planet is at the core of everything we do.
Our approach is practical: make only what is needed, design products to last, choose materials carefully, and keep usable material out of the waste stream whenever possible.
Our Commitment
Designed to last
A longer-lasting product is usually the better product. We design around quality, durability, and replaceable parts where practical.
Sustainable Materials
PLA is a sustainably sourced bioplastic that's our first choice for most indoor, decorative, and low-heat parts.
Keep usable material out of the waste stream
Broken or unusable parts are collected, melted, and made into new, unique Artifacts.
Materials
Why we prefer PLA
PLA, or polylactic acid, is a bioplastic made from renewable plant-based feedstocks such as corn starch or sugarcane. For the parts we make most often, it is a strong practical fit: plant-based source material, reliable printing, crisp detail, and good surface quality.
PLA can also be compostable, but under specific circumstances. It generally depends on industrial composting conditions, especially thermophilic conditions around 58-60°C. ASTM D6400 PLA review
The caveat is that plant-based and compostable do not mean the part will disappear in a landfill, backyard compost bin, or the natural environment. We treat PLA as a better material choice for many printed parts, not as magic disappearing plastic. EPA FAQ FTC
Contact
Have a broken part or material question?
If something breaks, wears out, or needs replacement, reach out.
We would rather help extend the life of a piece than see it thrown away. Whether you have a question about materials, care, replacement parts, or recycling, we are happy to help.
Sources
EPA waste management hierarchy
The EPA’s waste management hierarchy places source reduction and reuse above recycling and disposal, which supports our focus on made-to-order production and avoiding overproduction.
EPA plastic recycling and composting FAQ
The EPA clarifies that biobased plastic does not automatically mean biodegradable. Compostable plastic is biodegradable, but not all biodegradable plastic is compostable. Commercially compostable plastics generally need commercial or industrial composting conditions, and products should not be assumed suitable for home composting unless specifically labeled that way.
FTC Green Guides
The FTC cautions against broad environmental claims like “green” or “eco-friendly” and warns that unqualified biodegradable or degradable claims can be misleading depending on the product’s real disposal path.
ASTM D6400
ASTM D6400 covers plastics designed to be composted in municipal or industrial aerobic composting facilities where thermophilic conditions are achieved.
PLA biodegradation review
A 2024 systematic review describes PLA degradation as condition-dependent, notes that compost conditions perform better than soil, and highlights faster degradation at temperatures above about 60°C.