Student start-up aims to tackle plastic pollution

Students from the University of Derby are creating a new start-up business, which aims to tackle plastic pollution by collecting and recycling waste and transforming it into sustainable ‘green’ products for sale.

Involving 12 students from the Colleges of Engineering and Business working collaboratively, the Plastic Fantastic project will see them convert waste collected on campus, such as plastic water bottles, into useable materials and products.

After undertaking feasibility studies, final-year engineering students will build simple machines to convert the waste, using open source designs from Precious Plastic – a global community of people working towards a solution to plastic pollution.

Business students will create business cases, marketing strategies and sales plans for the recycled products, to ensure the start-up can become a viable student-led company.

The aim is to develop the business each year, with new students being ‘employed’ through their final-year projects to progress the business model, redesign the machines, maintain their parts, design new products and find new markets.

The student projects are being led by John Thorley, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, and Olivia Ramsbottom, Senior Lecturer in Business and Management.

Dr Fred Paterson, who initiated the project and leads on Sustainable Business for the College of Business, said: “Plastic waste is usually seen as a blight and cost to our organisations and communities, but it can also be viewed as a valuable and under-used raw material. This inspiring and impactful cross-college project will develop engineering and business skills for the emerging low carbon economy, while also addressing more general employability skills for the students involved.

“It is also part of the University of Derby’s commitment to improving the environment through plastic recycling, the electric bike scheme and all our research into sustainable building, engineering and business.”

John added: “The Plastic Fantastic project provides an engaging, real-world learning experience for our students, promoting their engagement in sustainable business and a circular economy. This is a student-led collaborative initiative that challenges students to develop employability skills and broaden their knowledge, enhancing their readiness for employment.”

An overview of the global plastic recycling scheme, along with technical details of the engineering designs, can be found at www.preciousplastic.com.

Find out more about studying Mechanical Engineering or Business at the University of Derby.

If your business needs support in developing a sustainable product line or service, visit www.lowcarbonbusiness.net.