Grant Proposal - Community Access Plastic Recycling Centre.pdf - Precious Plastic Northern Rivers

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PRECIOUS PLASTIC NORTHERN RIVERS Community access plastic recycling centre #PreciousPlasticNorthernRivers is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to reducing plastic waste in our community TABLE OF CONTENTS // 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. ABOUT PRECIOUS PLASTIC NORTHERN RIVERS (PPNR) 2. PROJECT OUTLINE 3. THE MACHINES 4. COMMUNITY AND MARKET RESEARCH 5. ADDRESSING COMMUNITY CONCERNS 6. KEY OBSERVATIONS 7. LOCATION 8. BUDGET 8.1 GRANT FUNDING 8.2 CROWDFUNDING 8.3 ONGOING FUNDING 9. COMMITTEE MEMBERS 10. PRECIOUS PLASTIC OFFICIAL IMAGES TABLE OF CONTENTS // 2020 11. ATTACHMENTS LETTER OF SUPPORT – BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL PRECIOUS PLASTIC OFFICIAL BOOKLET SCIENTIFIC PAPERS ABOUT VOC'S MACHINE BLUEPRINTS (SHREDDER, EXTRUDER) POSTERS (SHREDDER OUTPUTS, MELTING TEMPERATURES) MACHINE QUOTES GREEN PACK SALES MATERIALS – STOCK SUGGESTIONS & SIGNAGE FOR VENUE TO DISPLAY 0 1 ABOUT PRECIOUS PLASTIC NORTHERN RIVERS A local chapter of a global movement We are all becoming aware of the effects of plastic pollution in our environment. So much of this really useful substance just gets thrown away and then becomes wildlife-killing rubbish. It’s a wasteful travesty. But what if, rather than going into landfill, or being sent overseas, your plastic waste could be recycled right here, in the Byron Shire? What if local designers and craftspeople had access to plastic as a cheap raw material that they could turn into new, useful and beautiful things? We plan to tackle the waste of plastic-resources AND support the local economy by setting up a self-contained, community-run Plastic Recycling Centre. The centre’s plans are based on open source designs, business models and starter kits released by Dutch not for profit organisation ‘Precious Plastic’. Precious Plastic has invested 7 years and over €300,000 in grants to develop machines and tools which grind, melt, and inject recycled plastic - and they released those plans for free. We are Precious Plastic Northern Rivers; the local branch of a global movement. We are a team of motivated individuals ready to use the Precious Plastic plans and to see the reality of a local plastic recycling centre come to life. 02 PROJECT OUTLINE We aim to bring to life a community access plastics recycling centre. A place where the community can see and participate in the process of recycling plastic. The following is the project outline that brought our committee together; The facility should be run as a not for profit, with proceeds going back into the project for continuous improvement, expansion and running costs. We would like to see it replicated in other communities once we lay the groundwork and hope that local plastics processing becomes a norm. The project guidelines are: Recycling centre built to Precious Plastic specifications Location to be determined. Within the Byron/ Myocum/ Mullumbimby area. Documenting all systems, advertising materials etc. and sharing them so that other communities can replicate our project. Run by an elected committee and interested volunteers as an incorporated association. Possibility to employ 1 local to run the facility. Free to drop plastic to the recycling centre. Free to collect 80% of the weight delivered in plastic chips. Excess chips to be sold at low cost to local artisans and product producers or made into products for sale. Artisans that wish to use the machines can become members of the recycling centre. After safety inductions, they can rent the machines for part and full days to create products. Fostering an attitude of appreciation, empowerment and community action. 03 THE MACHINES Shredder Pro The Shredder Pro turns plastic products into small plastic chips. It does not require an exhaust system or any special PPE – just training and safety goggles. Shredder Output THE MACHINES // 2020 Shredder Specs: The shredder can be put on a trolley to move. It can be taken to events and festivals to demonstrate part of the plastic recycling process and encourage people from other regions to take plastic recycling into their own hands. Until a permanant site is found, the shredder can easily be housed in an industrial estate warehouse where it can begin it's work shredding plastic. Further details about the Shredder Pro can be found at: https://community.preciousplastic.com/academy/build/shredderpro THE MACHINES // 2020 Extruder Pro The Extruder melts shredded plastic to produce a thin stream of plastic fillament, like 3D printer filament. The fillament can be fed into a mould, as it was for the plastic beams shown above. Filament can also be used 'as-is' to make beautiful yet simpe products such as bowls, baskets and lamp shades. THE MACHINES // 2020 The global Precious Plastic community contributes to a library of how-to articles, making the process of creating even easier. Below is a sample of the many 'how-to' documents contributed by the Precious Plastic community including: how to extrude beams, make extruded bricks, extruding into a closed mold, and extrude different textures. This makes creating products easy and accessible to everyone. Here in our beautiful and arty Byron Shire, we can see many new market stalls popping up with recycled plastic products made using the extruder. THE MACHINES // 2020 Extruder Specs: The Extruder requires an extraction fan or carbon filter mask for the removal of harmful airborne compounds that are produced when melting plastic. It also requires special training because of the heating elements. Precious Plastic Denmark has provided a lot of documentation about safety that we can use. THE MACHINES // 2020 Injector The injection machine has a quick production output with high precision. Shredded plastic enters the hopper and is heated and pressed through a long barrel into your mold. The output colour is often unpredictable when mixing colours in the barrel, allowing for beautiful (and surprising) patterns that can add to one-of-a-kind products. You can create beautiful, consistent products with the injection machine very efficiently, but it takes a little work upfront – making molds. The more precise the mold, the easier and more streamlined the production will be. The Injector requires carbon filter mask for the removal of harmful airborne compounds. It also requires special training because of the heating elements. THE MACHINES // 2020 Injector Specs Image: Precision products made with the injection machine. 04 COMMUNITY & MARKET RESEARCH We surveyed the community to gauge interest in the Precious Plastic Northern Rivers Recycling Centre. The following request was posted on 6 Facebook community group pages on the August 18th, 2020. It was shared 17 times by members of the community. Hi Friends, Could I please ask for your help with completing this 60-second plastic waste survey? SURVEY: https://forms.gle/m1Mo4oAhZPW3TK5C8 We are Precious Plastic Northern Rivers and we are applying for a grant to fund a PLASTIC RECYCLING CENTRE in the Northern Rivers. This survey is for our market research. #Plasticwaste #ReduceReuseRecycle #PlasticFreeByronBay A total of 130 people responded to the survey. Agree 7.7% Plastic waste is a concern for me Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree 92.3% COMMUNITY & MARKET RESEARCH // 2020 Survey respondents were asked to check all boxes that applied to them. Following is the percentage of respondents that checked each box. 0% 100% 94% Having my plastic waste collected and recycled locally 73% Washing my own plastic waste before donating or delivering it 64% Delivering my plastic waste to a local recycling centre 34% Attending a plastic recycling information evening 32% Creating art and useful things from plastic waste 70% Buying products made locally from recycled plastic 35% Learning more about 'Precious Plastic' 45% Following Precious Plastic Northern Rivers on Socials 41% Being notified about project developments 24% Donating to see the local Plastic Recycling Centre become a reality 45% Spreading the word about Precious Plastic Northern Rivers 15% Joining the Precious Plastic Northern Rivers comittee to help the recycling centre become a reality 2% I am not interested in recycling* 5% Other *Respondents that were not interested in recycling expressed a preference for non-use of plastic. COMMUNITY & MARKET RESEARCH // 2020 The following responses were received for the 'other' checkbox. I am no longer interested in recycling. I believe that non-use is more appropriate. I would like to see local councils getting involved such as the red cycle system where playground equipment and park benches could be produced from recovered plastics. See plastic being created from bamboo or hemp instead of petrochemicals. It breaks down so very much faster, and doesn't involve petrochemicals. I am under the impression that plastic can only be recycled once, that it photodegrades (doesn't break down into something else, just gets smaller and smaller) and chemicals leach out of it. So I like the idea of recycling what we already are using but could you also invent a way to dispose of it safely (hehe). Would love to help but am truly overcommitted. Good luck with your application. My second though, after "that would be awesome", was: Do plastic recycling centres emit large volumes of toxic emissions into the local environment (air/water, etc)? Image: Recyced plastic beams made with an extruder machine, courtsey of Precious Plastic Denmark. 05 ADDRESSING COMMUNITY CONCERNS In response to the 'Other' comments made by survey respondents, we provide the following statements: Non-use of plastic will always be a central part of our messaging. Reducing virgin plastic production and using plastic alternatives are an important part of the picture. Precious Plastic has conducted extensive research into the environmental and health impacts of recycling plastic and the number of times that plastic can be recycled. In order to recycle plastic the maximum number of times, it is important not to mix types of plastic and to mark recycled products with the plastic type used. PVC and PA should not be recycled due to potent VOC emissions. ABS and PS plastics emit 5–7 times more fumes than other plastic types when melted. They can be recycled but require stricter safety protocols (carbon filtration). PE, PP and HDPE are the safest plastics to melt and recycle. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) are produced when melting some types of plastic. If the temperature is kept within guidelines these compounds are reduced. Carbon filter masks and carbon filter exhaust systems protect people and the environment from VOC's. 06 KEY OBSERVATIONS Many levels of involvement for the whole community The model of our a Precious Plastic recycling facility provides many opportunities for levels of involvement – all of which are practical forms of environmental activisim. Starting with simply collecting and delivering plastic waste; to helping with sorting and cleaning; shredding and storing; product design; to using shredded plastic to create new products; and the marketing and sale of those products. With recycling in the hands of the community, Precious Plastic gives activists, artists and entrepreneurs control over their individual (and our local collective) waste footprint. It taps into their their creative and economic motivations in order encourage recycling and turns recycling from a 'boring' passive process into a creative, income-generating pursuit. Image: Shredded plastic chips, courtsey of Precious Plastic Denmark 07 LOCATION We see the location situation as a chicken-and-egg scenario. Which comes first? It is difficult to secure a location without physical machines to demonstrate the concept. Conversely, we appreciate that it is difficult to fundraise for machines without a secure location. We have chosen to focus on the machines first, because they are the heart of the project. Should our grant application be successful, we have secured a temporary storage for them in Rosebank. We hope to secure a site provided by Byron Shire Council, similar to a community gardens site. Other options would be festival sites that are mostly unused for the year, warehouse space in an industrial area, or easily accessible land donated by an environmental philanthropist. The machines will be housed in a 40ft shipping container with concrete footings. We will require 3-phase power, water and a toilet facility. The site requires sufficient access for delivery and installation of the container and machines, and sufficient parking for plastic drop-offs and bus parking. The free source Precious Plastic plans include technical drawings of the shipping container design and modifications. 8.0 BUDGET Funding is broken down into three steps. 1. Grant funding; to fund the purchase of a plastic shredder, extruder and injection machine. 2. Crowdfunding; to cover the cost of site preparation, shipping containers, fit out & installation, 3. Ongoing funding; to cover insurance, utilities, PPE and maintenance. 8.1 GRANT FUNDING Our grant application covers the cost of machines and their transport to our temporary storage location. Three quotes were sourced for all Version 4 Precious Plastic machines. A machine maker on the Sunshine Coast was selected based on price and proximity (reducing transport costs and keeping business within a 1000km radius). Plastic Recycling Machines: Version 4 Shredder: $8700+ GST $870 = $9570 Version 4 Extruder: $5290+ GST $529 = $5819 V2 Injection: Machine $1800 + GST $180 = $1980 Shipping to local site: $1500+ GST = $1650 Note if we can have transport donated, the $1650 will go towards PPE. TOTAL: $19,019 BUDGET // 2020 8.2 CROWDFUNDING In order to raise funds to house the machines and set up a site, PPNR will run a crowdfunding campaign. Step 2 needs to be fully costed. The expenses are as follows: Shipping container (40ft high cube), Site preparation; earth works, fencing, Modifications to container and materials (paint, steel for window frames, welding rods, grinding discs etc.), Extraction fans, Toilet facility, Washing bays. Small crowdfunding campaigns for Precious Plastic in other parts of the world have been successful in raising $8000-$13,000. We expect a higher target to be set. ` Campaign and pre-campaign details: 30 day campaign for maximum impact (shorter campaigns create greater urgency). Should we reach the goal, there will be stretch goals added for a sheet press and solar backup. Leaning on being awarded the grant to build a greater sense of urgency to find a home for the machines. Launch parties to create buzz about the crowdfunding start. Utilising Raphael's events experience. Press releases to media outlets (utilising Aletha's media connections) and our teams personal and business networks. School events (we have the contacts and interested parties at Byron Shire high schools). BUDGET // 2020 Campaign building to begin as soon as machines are ordered. We can use images from the Precious Plastic community worldwide to allow possible donors to visualize the project. Possibility for rewards for large pledges – bamboo cutlery from Jasminda in Bali, stainless steel pegs (samples already sourced and relationships built), business name plaque displayed at the facility. 8.3 ONGOING FUNDING PPNR has arranged a sales comission from a local packaging company, Greenpack for the sale of plastic free packaging to food venues in the Northern Rivers. Green Pack are specialist for environmentally friendly packaging and tableware. Our company evolved from a small home business based near Byron Bay in 2006 to become one of the major online suppliers of environmentally friendly packaging in Australia. We are proud to say that we now offer the most comprehensive range of compostable, biodegradable and sustainably produced packaging in Australia, and the fastest possible delivery service. We ship daily throughout Australia and beyond. As a long-term income generating enterprise, committee members will be approaching local businesses that are using plastic packaging with catalogues and product samples and asking them to make the switch to plastic-free packaging. BUDGET // 2020 Orders are made via the Green Pack website using our discount code and commissions will be paid monthly into the PPNR bank account. We are currently in negotiations with the Lismore Pie Cart regarding our first sale of plastic free packaging. One common objection to 'making the switch' is the higher cost of going plastic free. In order to overcome that objection, we have developed marketing materials that help businesses explain that they are trialling plastic free packaging. Customers are informed that they can ask for the plastic free option and pay the difference (usually less than 50c). If enough people choose to go plastic-free during the trial period, the business agrees to making the switch permanantly. Other Income Sources Machine rental: The machines will be rented to local artisans for a reasonable price to create products. Plastic sales: Plastic that is dontated by the community will be shredded by volunteers. It can then be sold to artists to help them to create products. Further, artists can start their own plastic collection service, however 20% of the plastic that they bring in and ship themselves will be kept by the facility, for further sales. Products: Members and volunteers may create products for sale to the public that can be displayed in the facility. A percentage of those sales will be kept by the facility. 9 COMMITTEE MEMBERS Holly Gano - President Holly studied Business Management and Psychology. She heads up a service business that began operations 7 years ago and now has 19 employees and 1000+ customers in the Northern Rivers. She enjoys figuring out how to make an operation like Precious Plastic financially viable and using technology to automate processes and reduce the need for time draining human inputs. "In 2019, I had a serious case of climate grief and found the situation we are in globally to be quite overwhelming. I have realised that for me, positive action on a local level is the only way forward". Allira Cornell - Vice President Allira is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and has always been passionate about the environment, particularly plastic pollution. She has collected and stored all of her plastic waste for several years in anticipation of bringing the Precious Plastic movement to the Northern Rivers. Having been immersed in the creative and artistic world from a young age, Allira brings business savvy to the team as well as a strong connection to the artistic community. She also has a long term connection to the region. COMMITTEE MEMBERS // 2020 Tim Winton-Brown - Treasurer Tim studied Journalism and Law. He firmly believes in the notion that 'only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible'. Having been told by medical professionals to accept that he would be bound to a motorised wheelchair, Tim didn't let the impossible stop him and has proven them wrong. He is no stranger to the idea that with time and effort anything is possible. Many times Tim has been a part of making concepts a reality through involvement in film festivals, writers festivals & theatre productions. Tim brings his production management experience to the team from his work at Byron Bay Film Festival for a decade, in local theatre productions and in journalism. Working to deadlines drives his goal- oriented approach. Tim's ability to keep working on a task until he sees it through is an asset to the project. Raphael Lima - Secretary Rapha has over 15 years of experience working in events management, team building and catering in the public and private sector. He has managed projects in the USA, France, Brazil and Australia. He is energetic, grounded and always looking for opportunities for improvement. He has a passion for sustainability and improving lives in the community. Other Members Fabien Aubrun, Aletha Zylstra We have a contact list of 69 members of the community that have directly expressed interest in getting involved or joining the committee. Image: Recycled Plastic Tiles, courtsey of Precious Plastic Denmark 10 PRECIOUS PLASTIC OFFICIAL IMAGES The following images are open source images from Precious Plastic project in Denmark. They are free to use with attribution to Precious Plastic. If the content is remixed, transformed or built upon, it must be licensed with a creative commons sharealike license. 1. Shredder and Extruder machines in use. Background, extruded beams. PRECIOUS PLASTIC OFFICIAL IMAGES // SEPTEMBER 2020 1. Version 4 Shredder and Extruder machines that form part of grant application budget. 2. Version 2 Injection moulder that forms part of the grant application budget. 3. Version 4 Sheet press machine. Part of the Crowdfunding stretch goals. PRECIOUS PLASTIC OFFICIAL IMAGES // SEPTEMBER 2020 Images: Shredded plastic in assorted colours PRECIOUS PLASTIC OFFICIAL IMAGES // SEPTEMBER 2020 1. Opening an injection moulded product 2. Recycled plastic sheets, beams, and molds PRECIOUS PLASTIC OFFICIAL IMAGES // SEPTEMBER 2020 Process images: Waste plastic product, to plastic chips, to new product. PRECIOUS PLASTIC OFFICIAL IMAGES // SEPTEMBER 2020 Product images: Recycled plastic beams and mobile phone cover. PRECIOUS PLASTIC OFFICIAL IMAGES // SEPTEMBER 2020 Product images: Recycled plastic products. PRECIOUS PLASTIC OFFICIAL IMAGES // SEPTEMBER 2020 Product images: Recycled plastic products. 1 1 ATTACHMENTS LETTER OF SUPPORT - BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL PRECIOUS PLASTIC OFFICIAL BOOKLET SCIENTIFIC PAPERS ABOUT VOC'S MACHINE BLUEPRINTS (SHREDDER, EXTRUDER) POSTERS (SHREDDER OUTPUTS, MELTING TEMPERATURES) MACHINE QUOTES GREEN PACK SALES MATERIALS – STOCK SUGGESTIONS & SIGNAGE FOR VENUE TO DISPLAY