Teaching Sustainability Through Plastics Recycling

Join our three guest speakers from industry and the classroom to discuss how they utilise plastic recycling for use in projects:

Pat Link from Neston High School - Inspiring Sustainable Innovation at Neston High School
Pat Link, Lead Engineering Teacher, STEM Coordinator, and founder of Neston High School’s Makerspace, will share how students are transforming plastic waste into innovative, sustainable products. Through open-source recycling technology, and creative design, Neston’s Makerspace has repurposed over 800,000 plastic bottle tops. Pat was the winner of the James Dyson Foundation Excellence Award at the D&T Association Awards ceremony, recognising his outstanding contribution to D&T teaching.

Rory Dickens from Sustainable Design Studio - Connecting the Dots Between Waste and Product
Rory, from Sustainable Design Studio, will explore the tools and resources available to help students understand how waste can be transformed into valuable new products. Drawing on real examples of small-scale recycling technologies such as injection moulding and 3D printing, the session will demonstrate how product design, sustainability, and materials science can be integrated into engaging, hands-on lessons.

Tom from Gomi – Turning Waste into Beautiful Design
Tom, co-founder of Brighton-based design studio Gomi, will share how his team transforms so-called “non-recyclable” plastics and repurposed e-bike batteries into high-end consumer tech and bespoke products. From portable speakers made from flexible plastic waste to hand-crafted trophies for the British Independent Film Awards, Gomi’s work shows how sustainability, innovation and craftsmanship can go hand in hand.