I would be interested in helping with art or other things if possible.
Since I am in Edinburgh and I live here with my wife and 2 daughters I can’t help driving or going around but i am getting better each day at making 3D models that might be 3D printed one day.
Also I ordered a 3D printer to learn how to use it and hopefully we could make filament for 3D printers and make figurines or other things.
We have a open community space situated in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh if you wish to start here and then travel further south.
I’ve seen on the map that they are already recycling plastic in Glasgow and I will try to get in touch with them.
@tims regarding funding there are many ways. ~£50k of initial investment is not a huge sum, search for government grants and social enterprises funds first, crowdfund from volunteers second (also to spread the word) and then knock on banks and building societies’ doors (triodos, ecology bank) £50k is not a lot but that’s the most expensive case scenario, with £15-20k would be feasible and even less if the container was rented
DEFRA will be interested I’ve just managed to prove a project with them, happy to help with a bid, they’ll be interested in evidence and outcomes before they put money into it, again I’ll help out…we’ll need to scope out the whole process. Has the project run to capacity any where in Brittan?
You mentioned budget @javierrivera. I’m interested to know how you’re thinking of funding it. I wonder if DEFRA and The Environment Agency might be worth contacting initially to see what plans they have. Michael Gove just announced tackling plastic waste in China using UK foreign aid money, so you may be able to get a research grant, or similar.
Hi I’d love to be involved. I’d love to work on the project as an artist but I’m equally qualified with current Dbs check to run educational workshops with schools.
In fact a schools outreach minibus would be a great idea if you can create a small scale process to fit inside. There should be tonnes of interest in schools about recycling and environmental issues.
Why not go one step further and target the mess makers at all uk festivals!!! You should see the mess left behind after those.
I’m in Nottingham and would be glad to help. Hopefully this is food for thought xx
Debs
Hi, like the idea very much. In fact I am actually in the initial stages of putting a bid together to secure a space in East London. I am an architectural designer. Looking to collaborate. Please pm me to discuss.
It’s possible to rent shipping containers and similar self-storage pods for a fairly small monthly and sometimes weekly fee. It might be worth considering running it out of there initially.
Another approach might be to pair up with an established company and very publicly recycle their plastics. LUSH seem clued up on creating a closed loop. If the project is a success they might look to sponsor, or other companies might like to get involved too.
thanks @rrrcic but I believe a mobile workshop would be less commitment for a council, they can try it out and then if they think it has value, establish a permanent centre in their cities. Plus a mobile workshop would be able to get to much more people wherever it travels. But if you can build a permanent workshop, have the resources and help from council / organisations, go for it! (I know you’re on it already )
At the end of the day I’m preparing a budget with the most-expensive-case-scenario which would be buy the container or double decker, but then if we don’t reach that amount, it might be doable renting the container
@bacon interesting, do you mean east london where they have this shipping container city? our business plan will be public so you can get inspiration from it
Personally I’d prefer each area to develop independently that way we can maximise impact in several areas, a mobile unit is too temporary in effect and sustainability. If this process truly works the mobile units have done the introduction and concept development we now need to embed the practice and be a part of a regular day to day habit?
Fabulous and exciting idea and loads of support already offered.
Love the London bus idea but don’t let that scupper plans if just not doable. Though I’m sure there has to be a way.
Location and partnerships is key so perhaps focus on a potential list of who and where i.e. Tate and see what they can offer in terms of funding, staffing and support. George Monbiot may also be interested and able to help? I can’t offer much in the way of practical support but you are welcome to all my ideas and enthusiastic support!
Go for it!
Faye
Hi I’m definitely still interested in helping. I’d happily do sorting. Could probably help with planning and organisation too as I’m a Pa. Also have access to loads of plastic bottles as I work at a University in London. We also do product design degrees that might be interested in a project? Still having a think about possible locations.
This is an amazing idea would love to help and be involved. I’m a product designer so would be more than happy coming up with products to make (have some in mind already) and more than willing to help in all aspects of the project.
All the plastics collected need to be separated and sorted by type and clean. So maybe offer an incentive if people want to bring their plastics, like if it’s clean and sorted we’ll give you credits or discounts to spend in our store (for the finished recycled products) or you can do it here with us and get educated in the process.
To create new products they also need to be separated, we’d try to work with all the materials but if there’s one plastic that it’s hard to make something with or not recyclable we’ll dispose of it as usual. The machines work with every type except for the 3d printer that I think doesn’t work well with some types, other people will be able to tell, I don’t really know!
We need more people to show interest or at least give their opinion ! Let’s give another shoutout to Precious Plastic fans in the UK!
@hillhousehannah @michael7-white
@wandermeg
Hi, great idea. Just a few open questions that came up while thinking about the project. (Note: I am not a chemical nor mechanic engineer hence apologies if I’m getting this wrong).
– Types of plastic to recover for this project. Would it matter what is recovered? Are there ‘better types’ to recover and recycle or all are as good or bad.
– In order to make the products would you be able to mix the different types of plastics or you have to separate by type and color (PP, ABS, PS, PE, PC, etc).
– The machines (filament maker, extruder, injection moulding machines, 3d printer) would work with all types of plastic?
You are a model community. I want to do this in California to take down to Mexico & Central America where they have no recycling. But I’m only in the dream stage. Thanks for the inspiration!
I’ve thought of a problem let’s see if you guys can help with a solution:
so the idea is for the workshop to be mobile, either on bus or a container, being relocated every month or two. Ideally there should always be travelling with it someone responsible and knowledgeable, but might be hard to find someone willing to commit to travel so much?
Obviously at each place I think we should employ 1, 2 or 3 locals to help with the running of the workshop, bring people from the streets, bring kids from schools, explain how it works etc. So even though they’d be trained ideally you want someone permanently…
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