<p>The exponential expansion of plastic production, propelled by its diverse mechanical and chemical attributes, presents significant environmental, social, and health hazards owing to waste contamination. Constraints in recycled polymer utilization catalyse the rise of 3D printing, facilitating their conversion into valuable commodities and promoting the shift towards a circular economic paradigm conducive to sustainable developmental growth. In the preceding three decades, additive manufacturing via 3D printing has undergone a notable upsurge in scholarly inquiry, with a strategic focus on securing primacy in the envisaged $0.5 trillion market by 2025. Noteworthy sectors propelling this expansion encompass consumer durables, industrial fabrication, transportation infrastructure, and medical instrumentation, thereby underscoring the adaptability and inventive potential of 3D printing methodologies. 3D printing technology facilitates the fabrication of intricate geometries and complex structures from recycled polymers, while concurrently yielding substantial reductions in material wastage. This review synthesizes findings from an exhaustive literature analysis, elucidating three core polymer recycling methodologies: Mechanical, Chemical, and Thermal processes. Furthermore, it explores three distinct approaches to 3D printing recycled polymers: Fused Deposition Modelling, VAT Photopolymerization, and Powder Bed Fusion. Through meticulous scrutiny, it delineates the merits and limitations of these techniques, highlighting their pivotal role in advancing sustainable manufacturing. Additionally, it delves into the foundational tenets of a circular economy framework, particularly within the context of 3D printing for recycled polymers, providing an inclusive approach to advance ecological guardianship and optimize resource utilization.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>