I love it when my hobbies collide.
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!
this post was submitted on 28 Aug 2025
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Idk about ABS, but PLA definitely leeches unhealthy chemicals and will break down into microplastics in soil. It doesnt decompose.
Yup and the constant UV/moisture exposure will expedite the process, that's why I was asking!
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?
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)
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!
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.
Your greenhouse design looks very cool! Consider me subscribed! Looking forward to seeing your progress.
You two get a star for pleasant internet conversation
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 One has to be careful as the study is commissioned, not peer-reviewed and they clearly have an agenda with this.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.
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.
Sure... a typical setup strictly for growing "lettuce". Nothing else to see here...!
🤫
looks nice but that is a great way to get microplastic infused lettuce
But it tastes way better than the micro plastic infused lettuce at the grocery store.
Is it? Can you source this fact?
these look really cool!
I'm new to 3D printing so this might be a dumb question but does the water or moisture degrade the plastic? I've read a lot of posts about keeping your spools out of the humidity.
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
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 😉
This, the amount of potential plastic ingestion from using these pots is nothing.
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.
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.
You can find the design here: https://www.printables.com/model/762433-expanded-a-wider-planter
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 :).
For sure! If I remember you'll get an update lol
what a beautiful image!
Looking forward to when we can print the lettuce directly.