Updates and Plans for 2024
We are processing a lot of PLASTIC!
We have worked to maintain our various community collection points and continued to prep and shred dozens of bags of plastic. We now have more than two tote bins filled with shredded plastic! Additionally, we have unpacked our bench mold and our extruder is scheduled to arrive within the next week. In the coming weeks, we will be meeting again with Cole (PhillyPlastiCo) to continue setting up our workspace. Please remember to send any number 2 plastics our way!
Above: Abby, Callie, Eden, Justen, Connor, and Jonas work together to prep plastic for shredding.
Abby Bergson-Conklin
Community Involvement
This week, we are very excited to share updates on our new plastic collection points! On Monday, we dropped off two collection bins at the Elmwood Park Zoo. On Thursday, we set up a bin at Weavers Way Co-op in Ambler.
New Progress with Community Partners:
This week, we are very excited to share updates on our new plastic collection points! On Monday, we dropped off two collection bins at the Elmwood Park Zoo. On Thursday, we set up a bin at Weavers Way Co-op in Ambler, and we are currently in the process of securing a partnership with a local cafe. We also have a newly published article in the Weavers Way newspaper The Shuttle about our project. As mentioned in other posts, we have ongoing collection points at the Norristown Public Library and Riverbend Environmental Education Center. Please feel free to drop off any empty and rinsed household items such as shampoo bottles, milk jugs, detergent containers, or any other plastics labeled with the #2 recycling symbol.
Above: Abby setting up a collection point at Weavers Way Co-Op (Ambler)
Eden Mauger
A Visit with an Expert
The Plastics Renewal Project hosted Rich Karpowicz and learned a great deal about plastics.
On October 23rd, our group was visited by guest speaker Dr. Rich Karpowicz, an experienced professional in the materials science/plastic recycling field.
During his visit to the class, Dr. Karpowicz delivered a presentation regarding the chemical makeup of plastic, the fundamental chemistry behind plastic recycling, and how to maximize the amount of plastic that can be recycled.
Dr. Karpowicz educated the class on the challenges that face the plastics recycling industry, such as “Forever Chemicals” (chemicals within a material that never return to the earth) and non-recyclable materials such as adhesives and film layers.
Dr. Karpowicz also taught the class about the distinction between chemical recycling (a system that uses enzymes to break down plastic polymers into subunits called monomers) and mechanical recycling (the process of reusing and recirculating existing materials), and what can happen when the two methods of recycling are accidentally mixed.
Overall, the visit from Dr. Karpowicz was a productive, fascinating, and informative event that we all took something from. The entire class thanks Dr. Karpowicz greatly for his time and expertise!
Above: group picture with Dr. K
Justen Musewicz
Workspace Setup
Cole, founder of Philly PlastiCo, spoke to our group to share his expertise and advice surrounding plastic processing and manufacturing.
Our Visit with Cole from Philly PastiCo:
This past week we received our new plastic shredder through the Precious Plastics Bazar and were excited to set it up in our workshop. Cole, founder of Philly PlastiCo, spoke to our group to share his expertise and advice surrounding plastic processing and manufacturing. During our meeting, we also tested our machine for the first time and shredded #2 plastics collected by our group members.
Progress with Community Partners:
Our outstanding outreach team has been working toward securing as many community partners as possible. The first phase of correspondence targeted organizations in the Norristown area, however, we are now expanding our search in hopes of making the largest impact on plastics waste reduction possible.
We are also proud to announce that we have established a collection point at Norristown Public Library, and are launching a second collection point at Weavers Way Co-Op in Ambler on November 9th.
Above: Our collection point at Norristown Public Library
Noah Greskiewicz & Abby Bergson-Conklin
Introducing The Plastics Renewal Project
The Plastics Renewal Project is led by a group of eight young people at Cupola Academy in partnership with Fluxspace, a makerspace and tech education company in Norristown. Our mission is to promote sustainability and community education surrounding plastic renewal in Norristown and the surrounding areas and to establish a comprehensive framework surrounding education and manufacturing of recycled plastics.
Our first time shredding plastic.
Who we are:
The Plastics Renewal Project is led by a group of eight students at Cupola Academy in partnership with Fluxspace, a makerspace and tech education company in Norristown. Our mission is to promote sustainability and community education surrounding plastic renewal in Norristown and the surrounding areas and to establish a comprehensive framework surrounding education and manufacturing of recycled plastics.
The Problem:
Only 5% of plastics are recycled in the United States. Once disposed of, plastics can take hundreds to thousands of years to decompose. Our goal is to be more resourceful in utilizing the durability of the plastic we have at hand to create new products, decrease plastic waste, and improve lives within the community.
The Project:
Through initiating partnerships with community businesses and organizations, we hope to collect #2 HDPE plastics to manufacture and create new products to give back to the community. At Weaver’s Way Co-Op in Ambler, we will set up a collection point with a bin for community members to contribute rinsed and cleaned #2 plastics. Commonly used items made of #2 plastics include laundry detergent bottles, milk jugs, household cleaner containers, shampoo and conditioner bottles, and any plastics labeled with the #2 recycling symbol.
Our Mission:
To promote sustainability and community education surrounding plastic renewal in the greater Norristown and surrounding areas. To establish a comprehensive framework surrounding education and manufacturing of recycled plastics.
Our Vision:
A world where the untapped potential of plastics is harnessed within communities around the world to improve lives.
Contact Us:
If you have questions or seek to learn more, please email prp@cupolaacademy.org for more information. Thank you in advance to all community members who aid us in our plastic repurposing journey.
