Shred Up

ShredUp is implementing plastic recycling projects in regions with little or no corresponding infrastructure. The focus is on educating the population, setting up recycling collection infrastructures and operating plastic recycling centers.

The most important approach pursued in all three areas of activity is close cooperation. Together with local stakeholders, the civilian population and institutions already active in environmental protection in the area, it is made sure that the local community can identify with the projects.

EDUCATIONAL WORK

  • Seminars in schools
  • School visits to the collection/recycling center
  • Cooperation with university
  • Workshops in the community

SETTING UP A COLLECTION INFRASTRUCTURE

  • Distribution of collection containers to: Schools, public institutions and restaurants
  • Acceptance of recyclable materials at the recycling center (plastic, aluminum, cardboard, etc.)

OPERATION OF COLLECTION- AND RECYCLING CENTERS

  • Collecting large quantities of recyclable materials
  • Further processing of therecyclable plastic into new products

Pilot Project

Before the project starts, a pilot phase is carried out in close cooperation with the local partner to fine-tune the project to the exact needs of the target group and test whether the project can be implemented as planned.

SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

The first step towards successful implementation is the establishment of school partnerships, as the most important pillar of the project is educational work. As part of the partnerships, educational seminars are held at the partner schools and recycling collection containers are distributed. The schools are also invited to visit the collection center and the recycling center at any time to receive a tour of the premises. The aim is to raise pupils‘ awareness of recycling and a more resource-conserving lifestyle.

COLLECTION CENTER

As soon as the first school partnerships have been established and the first sources of recyclables have become part of the collection infrastructure, the aim is to expand this as continuously as possible. In addition to schools, the aim is always to involve restaurants, public institutions and other players in local society as well as private individuals. The recyclables are all collected in a collection center, sorted and resold in quantity to finance the operation of the infrastructure.

RECYCLING CENTER

The final component of the project is the opening of a recycling center. Here, selected „plastic waste“ is cleaned and shredded using machines made from locally available components and then processed into new durable products such as tables, benches, bowls or flower pots. The creativity of the local employees is given free rein. The resulting products are sold to generate an income stream to finance the project in the long term, but are also given back to the partner schools free of charge to underpin the educational work.