Plastic Recycling Campaign Launch at South Wilford Primary School
Plastic Recycling Campaign | Sustainable Art | Nottingham
At Future Makers, we're on a mission to revolutionise plastic recycling. We recently had the pleasure of launching our latest campaign at South Wilford Primary School in Nottingham. Engaging with over 300 enthusiastic pupils and teachers, we talked about solutions we are developing at our creative studio in Nottingham.
Highlighting the value of this versatile, long lasting material and how it plays a significant role in our modern life, we encouraged everyone to think about how they can recycle plastics from their home and school environments, to create beautiful things.
Educating Young Minds on the Importance of Plastic Recycling
Our visit started with an educational assembly where students learned how to identify various types of plastic around their homes. We emphasised the importance of cleaning and drying their High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP) plastics before dropping off at the school’s designated collection point.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, and in just the first week, the pupils have managed to collect an impressive 10 kg of plastic - well on their way to the 25kg+ target, to create a beautiful planter for their school.
The planter will be an artistic asset and also provide a habitat for bees and butterflies, showcasing the tangible benefits of recycling.
Changing Perceptions of Plastic
To understand the impact of our campaign, we caught up with some of the pupils, one week later and asked how their perceptions of plastic had changed since our assembly.
What did you think of plastic before Future Makers came into school?
"I thought plastic was something you could just throw in the bin, kind of useless."
“I thought plastic is just a daily thing that you use. I didn’t think much about it”.
What did you learn from the assembly?
"I learned that you can make anything out of it. You can shred it and make artwork, furniture, and useful things."
“I learned about the different types of plastic and what they are used for”.
Have you brought any plastic for recycling?
"Yes, and since we have a bin at school now, more people are doing it."
“I’ve brought some plastic from home.”
The Benefits of Plastic Recycling for the Plastic Industry
For those in the plastic industry, this campaign is not just a school project; it represents a critical shift in how we perceive and handle plastic waste. The industry has faced significant backlash due to the growing transparency around the plastic pollution problem, particularly in the oceans, as highlighted by the recent film X Trillion.
The current recycling infrastructure is not sufficient to cope with the staggering volume of plastic being produced, which is set to triple by 2060, leading to environmental degradation and growing negative public perception.
At Future Makers, we believe in the potential of plastic as a valuable resource, to be harnessed and kept in a closed loop system. Our work demonstrates that plastic can be recycled locally into beautiful artwork, outdoor furniture, and useful products.
100% recycled plastic planter, made by Future Makers.
By providing the infrastructure and education needed to recycle plastic effectively, we’re changing the narrative around plastic from one of waste, to one of opportunity and innovation.
See some of the innovative ways artists are working with us to recycle plastic, creating sculptural and practical artwork, with Ripple, the stunning sculpture at Broadway and our Arts Council England project, due for completion this summer.
10kg of plastic collected after 1 week.
Call to Action for Potential Sponsors
We invite those in the plastic industry to join us in this transformative journey. By sponsoring projects like our campaign at South Wilford Primary School, you can play a pivotal role in reshaping public perception and proving that plastic is a valuable material to be reclaimed, reused and recycled.
Your support will not only help educate the next generation about the importance of recycling but also showcase your commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Together, we can turn the tide on plastic waste and create a future where plastic is seen as a resource for creating beautiful, innovative, sustainable products.
10Kg plastic donation, washed, dried and ready for shredding
Let's bring balance to the narrative and highlight the positive contributions of the plastic industry.
Get Involved
To learn more about how you can support our initiatives or to discuss potential sponsorship opportunities, please contact us at Hello@future-makers.co.uk.
Join us in making a difference today!