On London’s river Thames, environment minister Thérèse Coffey has boarded the first boat made from Plaswood, a 100% recycled plastic ‘wood’.
The boat, a 12 seater punt, named ‘Poly-mer’ was launched at the Docklands sailing centre to raise awareness of the growing levels of plastic pollution in UK rivers.
The boat was manufactured by RPC bpi and commissioned by environmental charity Hubbub. RPC bpi said the boat requires no annual maintenance, staining or painting, as is required with wood, the traditional material used for boats.
Poly-mer sets sail on the Thames with minister Therese Coffey (left)
Circular
Mike Baxter, external affairs director, RPC bpi recycled products said: “This project brings the circular economy to life. Plastic waste in our waterways and seas is a hot topic and we are proud to be involved in the boat and support the clean-up of plastic waste from our rivers.”
Mr Baxter added that as the market for sustainable materials grows, the company “continues to invest and enlarge” its production facilities.
The boat holds 12 people and will now be used for ‘plastic fishing’ trips by schoolchildren as well as being accessible to the public and businesses. All the recyclable material collected will be used to build more polymer boats, creating a fleet of litter-collecting punts across the UKTrewin Restorick, chief executive and co-founder of Hubbub, said: “We built the boat to turn part of the problem into a solution and hope it will raise awareness that everyone can play their part to tackle plastic litter closer to home before it travels out to the ocean.”
Dumfries
Plaswood has been manufactured in Dumfries, Scotland from 100% recycled plastic by RPC bpi recycled products since 1983.
RPC Group says that it is the largest recycler of waste polythene film in Europe with an annual recycling capacity in excess of 100,000 tonnes at four accredited sites.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Plastic
