South Wilford Primary School Plastic Revolution
Pupils from South Wilford Primary School, preparing for to fill their new planter for Spring.
From Plastic Collection to Recycled Planter
Future Makers worked with South Wilford Primary School as part of the Plastic Revolution Schools Challenge, bringing pupils, families and teachers together to explore plastic recycling through hands-on learning.
Over six weeks, the school collected 20kg of plastic. Students then followed the material through sorting, shredding and sheet making before it was transformed into a recycled plastic planter for the school.
Learning Through Making
The project began with a launch assembly for more than 300 pupils and teachers, introducing the possibilities of recycling and material transformation.
Pupils explored different types of plastic and saw how collected material could be processed and made into something new. The collection point was designed and made at the Future Makers studio using recycled plastic panels.
A Planter for the School
Future Makers workshop technician Janis Zube transformed the recycled plastic sheet into a planter, with support from Paul Barker of the Government Property Agency during his Corporate Volunteer Day.
The finished planter was unveiled at a celebration assembly and planted with the pupils, creating a new habitat for wildlife within the school grounds.
Changing Perceptions of Plastic
The project gave pupils a practical understanding of what happens to plastic after it has been collected.
“This project has given our pupils hands-on experience of recycling and creativity. It’s been inspiring to see how waste can become something so beautiful and useful.”
Mrs Aldridge, Head Teacher, South Wilford Primary School“I learned that you can make anything out of it. You can shred it and make artwork, furniture and useful things.” Year 4 pupil
“I thought plastic was something you could just throw in the bin, kind of useless. I learned that you can make anything out of it.” Year 6 pupil
Natalie Aldridge, Headteacher at South Wilford Primary School with pupils and Tristan Hessing, Director at Future Makers.
Bring Plastic Revolution to Your School
Future Makers works with schools and education partners to deliver hands-on projects exploring plastic, design, recycling and making.