NINE hundred intrigued adults and children witnessed the magic of upcycled plastic at the Zero Waste Expo.
The event was a chance for Chris Blomeley, of Repair Reuse Recycle CIC, to share with the public how easy it is to do the right thing by repurposing their material waste.
Chris had help from several friends including jewellery maker Ophelia Mills, a company from the Netherlands which demonstrated how it shreds plastic to make into something new, and other grassroots organisations.
Polly Savage and Sarah McCaskey practise their music
He said: “The event was absolutely amazing. Now we’ve got a large number of volunteers interested and inspired about what we’re doing so we’ll be able to do more and make more objects.
“Will Quince was there and got really excited by the products he saw you could make from shredded plastic. There was a little sparkle in his eye almost.
READ MORE: PREPARE TO HAVE YOUR MIND BLOWN AT THE TOWN'S FIRST ZERO WASTE EXPO
"And people gave us a lot of encouragement and even cash donations to put towards the compressor we want to buy.
"I never thought people would be so moved to want to give us money."
The expo also marked the launch of Chris' RePLASTIC venture, which involves collecting and shredding plastic bottles and lids from across the borough, putting the granulated parts into a mould and then creating something fresh and sellable.
The Lorton family have plenty of musicality
Chris already has the necessary £1,200 shredder but is crowdfunding via the Essex Crowd for £750 to buy the moulds.
So far about six Colchester cafes are supporting him to collect colourful plastic bottle lids.
READ MORE: TRY CROWDFUNDING WITH AN ESSEX TWIST
Textile designer Frin Arnold crochets with giant rags
He said: "What they've done is agree we can put a display stand of stuff in their shops to get that circular economy going.
"Turning plastic into something more permanent and to show young people especially, how easy it is to solve the problem of excess plastics - that's the legacy I want to leave behind."
Learn more about the £750 venture by clicking here.
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