Thomastown Recycle Return

Thomastown Recycle Return will use discarded plastic bottle tops to make very functional
utensils, tools and outdoor furniture that will be made available to local schools, aged care
facilities and people with disabilities. The project will begin in Thomastown but eventually
spread to all the Northern Metropolitan Region. Collection bins for bottle tops will be
provided to local schools, sporting clubs and council facilities to gather the tops. The bottle
tops will be collected, processed and made into usable material to make a range of products
including easy grip bottle openers, planter boxes, disability aids, even mobile phone holders.

The project will provide a practical way for the local community to become involved in
recycling. The recycled product will be useful for local schools, aged care facilities,
community groups and people with disabilities – as the activity progresses the range of
products will grow according to need and increasing expertise. The Project will encourage the
local community to be involved in the whole process of recycling the bottle tops with a view to
providing skills training, increasing social participation and a first hand appreciation of the value
of recycling. Information sessions will also be held at local schools.