Frequently Asked Questions

Current Lead Times

Due to the popularity of our products, most orders have a waiting list. This allows us to maintain quality, but also means lead times can vary depending on demand.

Below are the current estimated lead times for our most popular products:

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Important Notes

  • Orders containing multiple items are shipped together, and dispatch may be delayed by the item with the longest lead time.

  • Modular moulds with custom nozzles may take longer than 1 week.

  • Premium moulds with custom nozzles are fabricated on request and can take up to 6 weeks to dispatch.

Lead times shown are estimates and may change during busy periods. If timing is critical, feel free to contact us before ordering.

Shipping

  • Yes. We ship worldwide from the UK and regularly deliver to Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and beyond. Shipping costs are calculated automatically at checkout based on your location and order size.

  • Shipping costs vary depending on destination, package size, and weight. Our webstore automatically calculates the most accurate shipping cost at checkout before payment, so there are no surprises.

  • For international orders, customs duties and local taxes may apply depending on your country. By default, orders are shipped DAP (Delivered At Place), meaning the buyer is responsible for any import charges.

    For added peace of mind, we also offer DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping on request, where duties and taxes are handled upfront.

  • Delivery time is lead time + shipping time. Lead times vary by product and are listed on the product page and in our FAQ. Once dispatched, shipping typically takes:

    • UK: 1–3 working days

    • Europe: 3–7 working days

    • Rest of world: 5–12 working days

  • Yes. Once your order is dispatched, you’ll receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking details so you can follow your delivery every step of the way.

Payments & Ways to Buy

  • We accept major debit and credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Maestro. You can also pay via PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay for a secure checkout experience.

  • Yes. On checkout you may see Buy Now Pay Later options like Clearpay, Afterpay, or Klarna depending on your region. Simply select the option you prefer and follow the on-screen instructions.

  • Yes. For larger or custom orders, or if you need a quotation or purchase order for your finance team, email the team and we’ll send you the details and an invoice.

  • All prices on the website are listed in GBP (£). If you’re ordering from outside the UK, your bank or card provider will handle the currency conversion at their current exchange rate. If you want to pay in a different currency, you can get in touch and we can provide bank transfer details in USD ($) or EUR (€)

  • We don’t add any extra fees for international payments. Your payment provider may apply their own currency conversion or cross-border charges depending on your card or bank.

Quality, Pricing & Value

  • Our machines are affordable by design, not by compromise. We design everything in-house specifically for small-scale recycling, which allows us to remove unnecessary complexity, overengineering, and middle-man costs found in traditional industrial equipment.

  • No. Our machines are built to be robust, repairable, and long-lasting. They’re used daily in schools, workshops, businesses, and community recycling projects around the world. Affordability comes from smart engineering and efficient manufacturing, not from cutting corners.

  • Yes. Our machines are designed for long-term use, maintenance, and repair. Many customers are still running early versions of our machines years later, often with minimal servicing. We focus on durability, serviceability, and real-world use, not disposable products.

    • Design specifically for small-scale use rather than adapting industrial machines

    • Use modular components that are easy to source and replace

    • Manufacture and assemble efficiently in the UK

    • Sell directly, without distributor markups

  • Both. Our machines are used by universities, labs, startups, major companies, NGOs, designers, and educators in over 85 countries. They’re trusted in professional environments where reliability and safety matter, not just experimentation.

Kits, Assembly & Documentation

  • We offer many of our machines in kit form as well as assembled options on selected products. Kits are designed to be straightforward to assemble and help keep costs accessible, while also allowing users to better understand how their machine works.

  • Offering kits allows us to:

    • Keep prices lower

    • Simplify international shipping

    • Make machines easier to repair and maintain

    • Help users learn how their machine functions

    For many customers, building the machine is a valuable part of the learning process.

  • Assembly is achievable with basic tools and mechanical confidence. Most kits can be assembled in a few hours by following our step-by-step guides. No specialist engineering knowledge is required.

  • Every machine includes:

    • A printed “Getting Started” guide

    • Access to full digital build guides and user manuals

    • Clear safety and operating instructions

    Documentation is designed to be visual, practical, and easy to follow.

  • Yes. Digital manuals are available online and can be accessed before purchase. This allows schools, labs, and organisations to review safety, setup, and operating requirements in advance.

  • If you need help during assembly or use, our team is available to support you. Many issues can be resolved quickly with photos or short videos, and we aim to help you get up and running as smoothly as possible.

Warrenty & Returns

  • All machines are covered by a 12-month warranty from the date of delivery or 2,000 operating hours, whichever happens first. The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

  • The warranty doesn’t apply if:

    • The machine isn’t used as intended

    • Assembly, operation, or maintenance instructions haven’t been followed

    • Unauthorized modifications or repairs have been made

    • Parts subject to wear weren’t monitored properly

    • Foreign objects (like metal or stones) cause damage

    • Force majeure events occur

    • Non-original parts were used

  • Your statutory rights aren’t affected by the warranty. For UK consumers:

    • You can reject faulty goods within 30 days of delivery for a full refund

    • Between 30 days and 6 months, faulty items are entitled to repair, replacement, or a refund if a repair or replacement isn’t possible

    EU customers have similar protections under local law.

  • Yes, if you’re a consumer:

    • UK orders: You can return unused items within 14 days of delivery under the Consumer Contracts Regulations

    • International orders: You may return unused items within 30 days (local laws may vary)

    Returned items must be unused and in resaleable condition.

  • Custom Premium Moulds and other custom-made items can’t be returned for change of mind unless they are faulty.

  • If you’re returning an item:

    • You’re responsible for return shipping costs

    • Original standard delivery charges are refunded

    • Customs, duties, and import taxes are also your responsibility on international returns

    Refunds are issued back to the original payment method once items are received and inspected.

  • Just get in touch at contact@sustainabledesign.studio with your order details. Pack the item securely and include proof of purchase. We recommend using a tracked shipping method.

  • Different rules apply for business-to-business transactions, and standard consumer cooling-off rights may not apply. These are handled under your contract terms.

Custom Moulds & Product Design

  • Yes. We offer custom mould design services for customers looking to create their own products from recycled plastic. This can range from adapting an existing design to developing a completely new mould from scratch.

  • We can produce custom Premium aluminium moulds, Modular mould inserts, and 3D-printed moulds depending on your application, budget, and production needs. We’ll help you choose the most suitable route.

  • A simple idea is enough to begin. Sketches, reference products, or a rough description all work. If you already have CAD files, we can review and adapt them for moulding and recycled plastic use.

  • Yes. Designing for recycled plastic is different from virgin material. We help optimise wall thickness, draft angles, part geometry, and gating to improve flow, strength, and surface finish using recycled.

  • Lead times vary depending on complexity:

    • Modular inserts: typically 1–3 weeks

    • Premium aluminium moulds: typically up to 6-8 weeks

    We’ll confirm timelines before starting any work.

  • Absolutely. Our custom moulds are specifically designed for small-batch production, workshops, pilots, and local manufacturing. You don’t need industrial-scale volumes to justify a custom mould.

  • Yes. Unless otherwise agreed, the final mould design is yours. We don’t resell or reuse custom designs without permission.

Choosing the Right Machine & Setup

  • If you’re just getting started, we usually recommend beginning with a Shredder Mini, Injection Mini and Mould. This allows you to process waste material and immediately turn it into usable products without unnecessary complexity.

  • Both are designed for small-scale injection moulding, but they suit different workflows. The Injection Mini is faster and better for repeated small batch production, while the Arbour Injection Machine offers a much larger injection volume and manual control making it far more future proof.

  • Most of our machines are designed for desktop or workshop use. A basic setup can fit comfortably in a small studio, classroom, or makerspace. We recommend allowing space for safe operation, ventilation, and material storage.

  • Yes. Many of our machines are used in schools, universities, and training environments. Clear documentation, repairability, and visible processes make them particularly suitable for teaching materials, manufacturing, and sustainability concepts.

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