About Plasticus Tasmania
How it started
Plasticus Tasmania grew from an idea to a developing business at the beginning of 2022.
I'd been inspired by the global Precious Plastic movement, and decided to moved back home to south-east Tasmania. Where I could start mapping out how to make it a reality. Calculating the variety of knowledge and skills it would take to get this off the ground and my limited budget meant I'd need the diverse social network Tasmania offers.
In late March. 2022, I set up a Facebook page to test public interest. The immediate response was very encouraging. All of this was new to me, and with a growing public awareness with resource management, I thought the social media page would be an opportunity to share as I learnt. This would also act as a way to meet like-minded people and get donations of plastic coming in.
I started organising fortnightly plastic collections from private households and businesses.
2022 also saw a workshop built at my parents house, and the first custom metal mould designed. By mid-2023 the workshop was operational, and the mould was made by metal engineers.
Trials on using the mould began, and by December two major milestones were reached. The customer shredder was going, and the first public drop off area, at the Glenorchy Recycling Centre, was established.
At first three of the most common types of plastic were collected, Types 2, 4, and 5. Although it became clear that managing available time and potential issues, including contamination, a decision had to be made to simplify.
Plasticus Tasmania was officially launched in March 2024 at the Sustainable living Festival in Launceston, with products available to the public for the first time. Plasticus Tasmania also enjoyed the honor of being a finalist in the Sustainable living business awards the night before.
If you are interested in finding out what other people all over the world are doing to reduce plastic waste, please visit the Precious Plastic website https://www.preciousplastic.com
What I do
Plasticus Tasmania is a small business actively reducing the amount of recyclable plastic being transported overseas or lost in landfill. With a focus on small items, such as lids, that can not be sorted by current large-scale equipment.
To keep things relatively simple, I have chosen to focus on one type of plastic. HDPE (High-density polyethylene) AKA type 2.
Plasticus Tasmania encompasses the whole recycling system. From collection, and processing, to design and manufacture of new products.
Working in conjunction with Tasmanian organisations and co-operatives, Plasticus Tasmania offers three drop off locations, situated within the greater Nipaluna /Hobart area. Where the Tasmanian public can drop off their HDPE collections (further information below). I carryout regular pick ups from these locations and take the plastic to be processed.
The type of products on offer and design is all a learning process for me. Once you start brain-storming, there are so many options. I decided to start with simple home-ware items, where it is possible to learn and practice, while still being able to provide a quality product.
Through learning from others and trial and error, I've come up with a system of casting the molten plastic into moulds. Once these items have cooled and released from their mould, they need a person touch to finish.
Processing and Casting
Once the plastic collections reaches Plasticus Tasmania HQ, it is processed to become a fresh usable material again.
It is incredibly important that contamination ...
Firstly, the items are hand sorted to make sure all items are made from HDPE. . Some items are then cut with tin snips to allow for thorough washing if needed. Next, they are washed in a washing machine, dried, and hand sorted again to make sure the item are clean. They are then sorted into colours and stored, ready to be shredded.
Shredding the plastic eases the melting process. It allows for the plastic to melt at an even rate and reduces the amount of air bubbles get trapped.
Once it is time to make products, colours are selected and weighted to particular ratios. Then mixed, ready to be melted and cast into a mould. The mould is then left to cool down, sometimes encouraged by circulating cold water.