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Recycled Furniture arrives at The Cottages at Blackadon Farm

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The Cottages at Blackadon Farm are the perfect getaway in South Devon, with beautiful beaches and attractions close by. The multi-award-winning holiday rentals command an impressive outlook over Dartmoor National Park to the rear and sweeping views across the South Hams that are breath-taking to the front.

Recycled Plastic Furniture at Blackadon Farm
Recycled Plastic Furniture at The Cottages at Blackadon Farm

Award Winning

The self-catering accommodation has been designed to a first-class standard; luxurious features provide guests the best experience for making memories, as an individual or a group of up to fifty! Established in November 2019, in just a few short years their exceptional service has won them more than 6 tourism awards, where they were up against other businesses within the sector that span across Devon, Cornwall, the Scilly Isles, Dorset, Bristol & Bath, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire! Three of those awards being gold, and the remainder all silver, with one congratulating them for being an ‘Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Business’.

Eco-Friendly Business

As part of their commitment to living more sustainably, the owners have invested in solar panels to improve electrical consumption; use water supplied by a natural spring, have a private woodland which sustains an array of natural wildlife.  They even employ miniature donkeys to help cut the grass!

They use 100% recycled British wool blankets, as well as a range of eco-friendly, ethically sourced, furnishings and fittings throughout their cottages. The Cottages at Blackadon Farm offer a high-quality service, and proudly support a variety of local businesses, providing guests with information and special offers for activities and days out within the South Hams, and neighbouring districts.

100% Recycled Plastic Dartmoor Bench at Blackadon Farm
100% Recycled Plastic Dartmoor Bench at The Cottages at Blackadon Farm

Anything they can get locally, they do, and although they advertise as self-catering, they can organise snack foods, packed-lunches and cooked meals; depending on your preference, this can be delivered warm or oven ready. This is provided through a partnership with Dartmoor Larder who offer a bespoke catering service, using fresh, seasonal, and home-grown organic produce, exclusively prepared to suit your individual needs, and delivered at a mutually convenient time.

Dartmoor Larder Picnic
Dartmoor Larder Picnic at The Cottages at Blackadon Farm

Recycled Furniture at The Cottages at Blackadon Farm

Earlier this year they were in the market for updating their existing outdoor seating and picnic areas. So, after coming across our attractive, 100% recycled range, and taking in to account the benefits of using recycled plastic; that includes the fact it will not rot or rust, is weather resistant and completely maintenance free, they were keen to incorporate DCW Polymers’ environmentally conscious, durable outdoor furniture within the grounds.

As part of DCW Polymers’ commitment to lowering carbon emissions, we plant a tree for each piece of furniture we sell; an oak tree for our larger pieces and a willow tree for the smaller items. Therefore, the Cottages at Blackadon Farm have contributed to the planting of 5 oak trees and 9 willows, that’s a total of 14 trees!

What do they think of our Recycled Furniture?

“Our guests are loving DCW Polymers’ recycled plastic furniture. When we tell them it’s made using plastic from around the area, they love it even more. Being sustainable is a core part of our ethos at The Cottages at Blackadon Farm. We demonstrate this to guests by using solar panels, use our own spring water supply, have initiatives that reduce energy use such as LED lighting, implemented measures to improve local nature and biodiversity, source responsibly and support local businesses. Working with DCW Polymers has allowed us to become even greener and now have a great product that can be used all year and will last for years.”

Marcus Bailey, Co-Owner, The Cottages at Blackadon Farm

To order a piece of your very own outdoor recycled furniture, call 01392 535353 or email [email protected] 

The Cottages at Blackadon Farm

The Cottages at Blackadon Farm are a marvellous place to relax in complete luxury. There are 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10-bedroom, dog-friendly cottages – the majority benefiting from en-suite facilities; they are furnished with super-fast Wi-Fi, smart TVs, and coffee machines. To the rear of the cottages is a large, heated barn equipped with comfy seating. There are a choice of games  suitable for either the kids, or simply the young at heart; and there are several great outdoor spaces whether you want to hide away, get together or picnic in.

To book a stay call Ryan or Marcus on 01752 897034, or call or WhatsApp on 07387 779848 / 07765 181799 or Email: [email protected]

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DCW Polymers raises over £5,500 for local charities through popular Recycle & Raise scheme

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DCW Polymers, the South West’s only specialist plastics recycling and reprocessing plant, has raised £5,736.28 for local charities by recycling plastic tubs and bottle tops donated by the general public, an initiative known as Recycle & Raise.

The funds, which have been split equally between Dartmoor Zoological Park and mental health charity Mind, were raised through DCW Polymers’ Recycle & Raise initiative. The appeal asked the general public to donate plastic tubs and bottle tops for recycling which DCW Polymers has shredded into granules.

The granules have been used in manufacturing DCW Polymers’ recycled plastic furniture range which has raised approximately 8p per tub recycled for Dartmoor Zoo and Mind.

Over 85 businesses, schools and organisations across the South West volunteered as collection points for the tubs, bottle tops and takeaway containers, with the general public donating 1,925kg of tubs and 673kg of bottle tops in a bid to support the charities. The weight of the tubs equates to 64,166 tubs recycled through this year’s Recycle and Raise campaign.

Hosted by DCW Polymers annually since 2019, the Recycle & Raise appeal has raised over £11,000 for charitable causes.

DCW Polymers Managing Director, Simon Almond, said: “The enthusiasm from the public to help us raise as much money as we can for these charities this year has been incredible. So much so that we have experienced our most successful fundraising year yet, raising over £5,500 for Dartmoor Zoo and Mind.

“These are two charities that I am personally very passionate about. As a trustee of Dartmoor Zoo, I’m invested in the incredible conservation work the team do, and Mind is a charity that we were keen to support in light of the toll the pandemic has had on mental health and wellbeing.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has donated to the scheme as without you, we couldn’t have raised these vital funds for charity. Since 2019, we’ve smashed each of our targets every year and as the initiative grows, we hope to raise even more funds during next year’s campaign which will kick-off in October 2022.”

Thanks to the enthusiasm of the public and the success of the appeal, DCW Polymers is now collecting plastic tubs and bottle tops all year round. The funds raised from this will also go towards the annual Recycle & Raise scheme, giving DCW Polymers and the general public the opportunity to support local charities either side of Recycle & Raise season.

Clean plastic tubs and bottle tops can be taken to the Recycle & Raise drop-off point outside Princesshay’s Bee Hive Information Centre, The Hive, located in Bampfylde Lane in Exeter. In addition, clean plastic tubs and bottle tops can be taken to any of DCW’s or DCW Polymers’ Exeter or Plymouth depots. Donators can locate their nearest depot by visiting www.dcwpolymers.co.uk.

For those who cannot easily access the permanent drop-off points, the Recycle & Raise seasonal appeal for plastic tubs and bottle tops will return in November 2022 and will run until February 2023. DCW Polymers encourages businesses from across Devon and Cornwall to sign-up, creating plenty of accessible drop-off points across the region. If your business would like to sign up as a drop off point to help raise funds for DCW Polymers’ chosen charities, please email [email protected].

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Recycled products case study: Devon Air Ambulance Trust

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Since launching the eco-friendly recycled plastic furniture range in 2021, DCW Polymers has helped hundreds of customers make the switch from using timber products to a sustainable, long-lasting alternative

In addition to the stylish benches, chairs and dining sets, DCW Polymers also manufactures decking and fencing from recycled plastic which is collected from businesses across the South West. The fencing caught the eye of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust which was looking to replace its traditional wooden fencing at its North Devon airbase in Umberleigh.

The Devon Air Ambulance Trust is a charity which provides pre-hospital emergency clinical care to the most critically ill and injured across Devon through the provision of two helicopter-based air ambulances and two critical care cars. In 2021, over 1,900 patients were assisted with over 1,300 missions by helicopter and over 500 missions by critical care car.

Partnering with Festers Fencing, DCW Polymers provided 26 x 3m fence posts and 28 x 3m rails for Festers Fencing to erect at the airbase. Festers Fencing also made the gates out of material provided by DCW Polymers. The work was completed in Jan 2022 and the Trust is thrilled with the results.

Jonathan Osmond, Head of Facilities & Risk at Devon Air Ambulance, said: “At Devon Air Ambulance, one of our four Strategic Pillars is focussed on the environment and how we reduce our carbon footprint, particularly as we operate two helicopters. Our Trustee-led Environment, Sustainability & Stewardship Committee, partnered with our staff-led Green Team, work to identify and mitigate other areas for improvement.

“When the traditional wooden fencing needed replacing at our North Devon airbase, we were pleased to find a product manufactured by DCW Polymers made from recycled plastic. As DCW is our main waste service provider, it is entirely possible that the new fencing is partially made from our own plastic waste! Particularly important is that this new product is expected to last many more years than wood and can be recycled again and again. It also looks great!”

Simon Courtney, Director at Festers Fencing, said: “The Trust’s Umberleigh site is high up on an airfield and due to the winds and challenging weather that cuts across this high point, the traditional wooden fencing had suffered from wear and tear. I recommended DCW Polymers’ recycled plastic fencing as a perfect solution. It is completely weatherproof, looks good and will handle the elements well.

“I am a great admirer of this product and am very impressed with the results. Myself and my team have really enjoyed working with this timber alternative, learning how flexible and how versatile the product is. To use something that is 100% recycled is a great solution and great for the environment. We are looking forward to using the fencing, decking and furniture in many other projects.”

DCW Polymers recycled products collection includes a range of benches, chairs, tables, dining sets, fencing, decking and dog agility equipment. Plastic waste collected from businesses across the South West gets taken to Exeter-based DCW Polymers where it is shredded and melted into moulds which forms the posts and planks. These are then used to make weatherproof furniture or other products.

A sustainable alternative to timber, the plastic furniture and products are maintenance free, will not rot, splinter or corrode and will not require painting or treating.

If you are interested in commissioning recycled plastic furniture, fencing, decking or dog agility equipment for your business, please call 01392 535353 or email [email protected].

Click here to find out more about the recycled plastic products range.

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What Are The Benefits of Recycled Plastic Furniture?

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The importance and significance of climate change needs no introduction. For years now, scientists have been warning us that the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere is having an adverse effect on the earth’s climate. This problem is worldwide and needs to be addressed immediately. One main answer to the problem of global warming could be recycling, as this puts a stop to disposing of materials in landfills which releases toxins and greenhouse gases. Instead, recycling allows us to use existing materials and transform them into an entirely different product.

One way in which plastics can be recycled is by creating recycled plastic furniture. At DCW Polymers, we hold strong values when it comes to creating new products from recycled materials. That’s why we’re a company that are proud to supply recycled plastic furniture to our customers.

So what exactly are the benefits of using recycled plastic outdoor furniture and how can it benefit you?

Benefits of Recycled Plastic Furniture

In view of the fact that recycled plastic furniture is a recent phenomenon, this means that you might not be aware of the countless benefits that it can offer. Not only is it good for our planet, but it can also offer so much more! Here are just some of the benefits that it affords:

Environmentally-Friendly

This might be the most obvious benefit, but it’s important to not underestimate just how beneficial recycling can be to our planet. By using materials that already exist in our environment and using them for different purposes completely minimises the amount of energy we use, whilst reducing the amount of landfill waste we have. Landfills are one of the main contributors to the release of toxins, and therefore it’s essential that we keep on top of this. By doing so, having recycled plastic outdoor furniture can go a long way to benefit our natural environment.

At DCW Polymers, all of our recycled plastic furniture uses plastic waste from the South West. We know how important it is to have furniture that contributes positively to the environment but doesn’t compromise on comfort or appearance. That’s why we provide furniture that can both enhance the appearance of your garden or public space, whilst providing maximum comfort.

Rot-Proof

One of the main benefits of plastic furniture is that it is rot-free, meaning that it can out-live any wooden alternative. If you invest in recycled plastic furniture, then you know you are receiving a piece of furniture that will stand the test of time. However, if you were to have wooden furniture then you would have to worry about it rotting. The main issue with plastic left in landfills is the fact that it doesn’t degrade. Why not turn this negative into a positive by recycling the plastic so you have recycled garden furniture?

Weather Resistant

The reason why recycled plastic furniture isn’t susceptible to rots can be placed down to the fact that it is weather resistant. Wood furniture can be damaged if there are constant temperature fluctuations. If wood furniture isn’t maintained properly, then there is the possibility for the water, air and heat to force the wood to rot. When you consider the unpredictability of British weather, you want garden furniture that you can depend on throughout the year. Plastic recycled garden furniture could be the perfect solution, as it is resistant to all types of weather conditions.

Insect Resistant

As well as being resistant to weather conditions, recycled furniture is also impervious to insects. With wood, infestations can occur if beetles or larvae enter. Considering that wood can crack as a result of the changing weather conditions, this offers opportunities for insects to enter. Once these insects enter, further damage can be caused to your furniture. The possibility of this happening with plastic recycled furniture is somewhat impossible because the weather doesn’t impact plastic. As a result, bugs and insects won’t be enticed to enter.

Low Maintenance

Having plastic furniture is somewhat maintenance-free, all you have to do is set it up how you like, sit back and enjoy! As mentioned earlier, plastic furniture is rot-free so you don’t have to spend time and effort trying to continuously breathe life back into your furniture. Plastic furniture can also be known for its resilience, battling off stains and losses in colour. Not only that, but it’s much easier to clean plastic furniture when compared to other materials. Not only can plastic furniture fit perfectly in gardens at home but it’s also perfect for those who work in the hospitality industry, where spilt food and drinks are aplenty.

Lightweight

Comparing this type of furniture to others, you might notice just how lightweight it is. Other materials such as wood and or metal are much heavier alternatives for furniture, making it much more difficult to transport. If you’re trying to transport the furniture into your garden, then plastic furniture won’t cause you too much stress.

Safe for Children

As aforementioned, plastic furniture is easy to clean and maintain. Considering that children aren’t exactly known for holding things still with their butterfingers, you want to have furniture that is easy to clean. Furthermore, having plastic furniture completely removes the possibility of splinters, so children are safe at all times. In this instance, plastic furniture such as benches would fit perfectly into school playgrounds.

Types of Plastic Furniture

Whilst the above has just listed a few of the benefits that recycled plastic can offer, it’s important to not forget how versatile plastic can be and the different types of furniture you can make from it. Take a look at the different types of plastic furniture you can make through recycling:

Recycled Plastic Bench

Benches are just one piece of furniture that can be created through plastic recycling. Considering that plastic furniture is lightweight, this means that it is easier to move around. However, although it is lightweight this doesn’t mean it doesn’t hold back when it comes to strength and durability. This piece of furniture could fit perfectly in a garden, balcony or playground.

Recycled Plastic Chair

Similar to the bench, a recycled plastic chair would fit seamlessly into a garden, balcony or break area. At DCW Polymers, all of our recycled garden furniture products are made straight from plastic collected in the South West. By doing so, you know that you’ll be sitting on plastic that would otherwise just be sat in a landfill, so having this piece of furniture shows your commitment to the environment!

Coffee Table

Who doesn’t love a coffee table? What makes this piece of furniture unique is the fact that you can actually leave it outside because plastic furniture requires virtually no maintenance. Whereas with other furniture you would have to keep a keen eye on it to see whether there are any cracks or deformities.

Ottery Bench

This recycled plastic outdoor furniture is perfect for socialising with friends. Having a corner bench can make your area seem more inviting and improve the aesthetics of your garden. Not only that, but corner benches can offer maximum comfortability. These types of benches would best be suited in both public and home settings.

DCW Polymers, Supplying Recycled Garden Furniture You Can Rely On

If you are convinced that recycled plastic outdoor furniture would be a welcomed addition to your space, then look no further than DCW Polymers. We are a company that create bespoke furniture pieces, ensuring that you receive furniture that is perfectly tailored to you and your needs. Having recycled garden furniture can not only benefit you, but it’s also a huge positive towards caring for the environment. Supplying a range of recycled furniture including benches and tables, we’re proud to supply products that are durable, weather-resistant and low maintenance. Not only that, but we can also provide recycled plastic fencing and decking too! To find out more about the products and services that we offer, then enquire today or give us a call on 01392 535 353.

What Are The Benefits of Recycled Plastic Furniture? Read More »

DCW Polymers Announces Tree Planting Scheme

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DCW Polymers are proud to announce that for every single item of furniture we sell, we will plant one tree in Devon!

This means that not only does our furniture save trees, but we’re giving more back to the world too.

We’ve kickstarted the planting with 100 Oak trees planted near Crediton by our Purchase Ledger & Marketing teams this March! In partnership with OakOffset on land kindly donated by a local landowner. These 100 trees are estimated to sequester up to 100 tonnes of CO2 over their lifetime!

There are numerous schemes available for people to donate money to plant trees, but at DCW Polymers we decided to go the extra mile and plant the trees ourselves. Rather than just donating the money to a charity, we got our boots & gloves on and planted our 100 trees in one afternoon!

The team had a fantastic time in great March weather planting the first 100 DCW Polymers trees which will provide a lasting legacy to the local area for hundreds of years to come!

What a fabulous honour to be planting trees that people will appreciate for hundreds of years to come! Not only does it help to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere but it promotes local wildlife too. Our recycled furniture is as eco-friendly as they come – our production is powered by solar energy, the furniture is made from 100% recycled plastic from local businesses, and now we plant a tree for every item we sell too!

Emily Almond, Business Development Manager

OakOffset is a not-for-profit who focus on the tree, not the money. The English Oak supports more species than any other UK tree and thrive along side all other native species, so it is a perfect choice.

If you’re thinking of purchasing some of our recycled plastic furniture this year, remember that not only are you saving trees, you’re giving more trees back to the world too!

Tree planting

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‘Shop and drop’ to recycle and raise funds for charity

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Visitors to Exeter city centre can now recycle plastic bottle tops and tubs at a brand-new drop-off point in Princesshay Shopping Centre and help contribute to a more circular economy.

Leading South West plastics recycling and reprocessing plant, DCW Polymers, has partnered with the popular shopping destination to run its Recycle & Raise scheme all year round. The plastic recycling scheme which asks the public to donate plastic tubs and bottle tops to raise funds for Dartmoor Zoo and mental health charity mind, was previously operated by DCW Polymers only over the festive period.

Now, shoppers can take their plastic tubs and bottle tops throughout the year to the new Recycle & Raise drop-off point stationed outside Princesshay’s Bee Hive Information Centre, The Hive. Located in Bampfylde Lane between Superdry and Chandos Deli, donations can be placed in the Recycle & Raise collection bin 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The most popular items donated are plastic confectionary tubs, but keen recyclers can also donate ice cream, biscuit and cracker tubs, milk bottle tops and takeaway containers. The materials with a number five or PP symbol on the container that are donated to Recycle & Raise will be sent to the DCW Polymers recycling plant in Exeter where they will be shredded into granules. The granules will then be used in manufacturing DCW Polymers’ recycled plastic furniture range, which will raise approximately 8p per tub recycled for Dartmoor Zoo and Mind.

Trevor Gomm, Operations Manager at Princesshay, said: “We are really pleased to partner with DCW Polymers on the Recycle and Raise project in the Centre.”

Last year, the campaign raised over £4,000 for Dartmoor Zoo and Mind. Since its launch in 2019, Recycle & Raise has raised over £5,200 for charity with DCW Polymers collecting the equivalent of 65,000 tubs.

DCW Polymers Business Support Manager, Emily Almond, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Princesshay Shopping Centre on board as our latest Recycle & Raise partner. With 13.4 million people visiting Princesshay every year, we hope the new drop-off point will be inundated with donations, ensuring that we can raise vital funds for charity all year round and not just over the festive period.

“As a Zero to Landfill company with a passion for creating a more sustainable environment, we like to partner with like-minded businesses. It feels like a natural fit for us to collect Recycle & Raise donations from The Hive which was built in 2012 as part of Princesshay’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. So, please bring your clean, empty tubs and tops with you next time you head into the city centre and help us Recycle plastic and Raise money for charity.”

Donations can also be taken to temporary Recycle and Raise drop-off locations across Devon until Monday 28th February 2022. Visit www.dcw.co.uk/about/recycle-raise to locate your nearest drop-off point.

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Recycle & Raise returns

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Tubs of sweets adorn the shelves at this time of year, ready for us to stock up on our favourite festive treats. Now, we’re asking you to donate the empty plastic tubs – once the treats are gone – to raise vital funds for charity.

We host our Recycle & Raise appeal every year and once again, we are asking you to donate plastic tubs for recycling to raise funds for Dartmoor Zoo and Mind.

Last year, we raised over £4,000 for Dartmoor Zoo and Mind. Since its launch in 2019, Recycle & Raise has raised over £5,200 for charity with DCW Polymers collecting the equivalent of 65,000 tubs!

It’s not just confectionery tubs we’re asking for either. Ice cream, biscuit and cracker tubs, milk bottle tops and takeaway containers will all be collected as part of the Recycle & Raise campaign. The materials with a number five or PP symbol on the container that are donated to Recycle & Raise will be sent to the DCW Polymers’ recycling plant in Exeter, where they will be shredded into granules. The granules will then be used in manufacturing our recycled plastic furniture range, which will raise approximately 8p per tub for Dartmoor Zoo and Mind.

With an estimated 100 million tubs bought in the UK each year*, even if just 1% of the tubs in circulation get recycled, millions of pounds could be raised for charity.

Over 85 South West businesses have signed up to become Recycle & Raise drop-off points already this year, making it even easier for you to donate your tubs! You can find your nearest drop-off location by viewing our interactive map at www.dcw.co.uk/about/recycle-raise.

DCW Polymers Business Support Manager, Emily Almond, said: “We were shocked at the vast stacks of plastic tubs in the supermarkets at this time of year, and as a plastic recycling specialist we felt compelled to do what we can to keep the plastic out of landfill while raising vital funds for charity. We’ve received incredible support from local organisations and people collecting tubs in their offices.

“We are so proud to have raised over £5,000 in two years and hope that with the support of the public in donating their plastic tubs, we can raise even more this year. By manufacturing the plastic granules into our recycled plastic furniture, we can donate ten times the amount per tub than if we just sold the granules to the manufacturing industry, so we can raise even more for our charities! Please spread the word and save us your clean, empty tubs and tops and help us Recycle plastic and Raise money for charity.”

Donations need to be taken to drop-off locations by Monday 28th February 2022. If your business, school or organisation would like to become a drop-off point, please email [email protected].

*Calculated by Tub2Pub/Nielsen

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What more can the South West be doing to create a circular economy this Plastic Free July?

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With Plastic Free July well underway, DCW Polymers Managing Director Simon Almond reveals why he thinks a circular economy is so important in the fight against plastic waste, and the steps DCW Polymers is taking as one of the South West’s leading plastics and recycling processing plant…

Plastic Free July is a fantastic awareness campaign which gets everyone thinking about how they can eliminate single-use plastic from their day-to-day lives, or at least cut down on the amount they send to landfill.

This global movement is an annual event and every year we are faced with even more devastating plastic waste facts. Currently, nearly 300 million tonnes of plastic waste is produced each year with 1 million marine animals dying due to plastic pollution (source: Seed Scientific). Plastic Free July aims to make an impact by encouraging households, schools and workplaces to think about what sustainable swaps can be made to eliminate single use plastic, and it works! According to the leaders of the campaign, participants reduce their household waste and recycling by 21kg per person and contribute to a total saving of 940 million kg of plastic waste each year (source: Plastic Free July). It’s great to see that the campaign can make such an impact, and really heartens me, as personally I am invested in fighting back against plastic pollution.

I’ve always been passionate about creating a circular economy and have never wanted anything to go to waste, even from a young age. I used to rescue unwanted bikes from skips so that I could repair them and sell them on to my school friends! I adopted a similar approach when I founded DCW Polymers. We strive to help our customers become Zero to Landfill companies but sometimes, this is challenging due to the specialist waste some businesses may produce. When situations like this occur, we work with customers to find an alternative solution to ensure we keep those materials away from landfill and give them a new lease of life.

Plastic has often been considered as hard to recycle. Many plastic products are made out of several different materials, including chemicals, making it difficult for local authorities, for example, to recycle as the materials need to be separated. Globally 91% of plastic is not recycled and 75% of all plastic produced becomes waste (source: Seed Scientific). We want to change this at DCW Polymers and that is why we have researched and invested in processes which turn plastic waste into new products.

Waste one-minute, stylish outdoor furniture the next

We’ve invested in a new machine at our specialist plastics recycling centre, DCW Polymers in Exeter, which melts bulky plastic waste down and moulds it into large posts and planks. After weeks of trialling this new process and ironing out the kinks, we launched our outdoor furniture range in May 2021. Plastic waste from South West businesses processed by DCW Polymers is now being made into a range of picnic benches, tables, chairs, fence posts and decking for individuals to buy for their household or business. It’s an excellent sustainable alternative to timber as the plastic products are maintenance free, will not rot, splinter or corrode and will not require painting or creosoting. Bulky plastic waste such as pallets, kayaks, buckets, fuel tanks and wheelie bins make ideal sources of plastic for this type of process. You can find out more here.

Striving for a circular economy

In addition to being an authorised distributor of Storm Board product, we also provide the material that goes into the making of this weatherproof plywood alternative. What material is that? You guessed it. Waste plastic! This is the definition of a circular economy. Taking waste plastic and recycling it back into the manufacturing process reduces the need for virgin plastic products to be made and in turn, reduces energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

We also run our own charity fundraising campaign every year which keeps plastics away from landfill. We’re all very familiar with the plastic confectionary tubs that feature as part of our Christmas celebrations every year, but did you know many of these end up in landfill? We launched Recycle & Raise in an attempt to put hundreds of these tubs to good use. Every year, we collect these empty plastic tubs from across the South West and shred them into plastic granules. This material then gets sold back into the manufacturing industry and we donate the funds to charity! This year, the campaign raised an incredible £4,096.60 for Dartmoor Zoo and Mind and we look forward to raising even more funds this winter. It’s just another example of how DCW Polymers is striving for a circular economy, and with this campaign, also helping those in need.

Conversation around plastic waste is certainly loud this month and I hope this encourages you to think about what more you or your business could be doing to recycle plastic waste and to contribute to a more circular economy. Myself and my team are always looking at ways in which we can improve our own processes and I hope you will join us and do the same.

If you are interested in finding out more about how you can recycle your bulky plastic waste with DCW Polymers, give my team a call on 01392 535353 or email [email protected].

All the best,
Simon Almond

What more can the South West be doing to create a circular economy this Plastic Free July? Read More »

DCW Polymers embraces circular economy with the launch of recycled plastic furniture range

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We are delighted to announce the launch of our outdoor furniture range made entirely from waste plastic collected from businesses across the region.

DCW Polymers has invested over £25,000 in a new plastic reprocessing line to become the only company in the South West to process waste plastics it collects into recycled furniture. The new equipment, based at the specialist plastic reprocessing plant in Exeter melts the shredded waste plastic and moulds it into posts and planks which are then used to make weatherproof furniture and garden products such as picnic benches, tables, chairs, fence posts and decking.

A sustainable alternative to timber, the plastic furniture and products are maintenance free will not rot, splinter or corrode and will not require painting or creosoting. The innovative furniture and products are made using 100% plastic waste collected from South West businesses such as buckets, tubs, crates, DVD cases, bottle tops, and even kayaks and old wheelie bins.

DCW Polymers is the only specialist plastics recycling and reprocessing plant south of Bridgwater, recycling commercial waste plastic from businesses across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. This new piece of kit now sits alongside the £280,000 state-of-the-art shredding line which DCW Polymers purchased in 2020. This converts bulky waste plastics into plastic granules which get sold back into the manufacturing industry. With 100% recycled furniture now part of its offering, DCW Polymers is leading the way to a more circular economy in the South West.

The recycled furniture and garden products are available for both businesses and individuals to purchase directly from DCW Polymers. The range includes four different styles: the Torbay, a low contemporary bench; the Plymouth, a traditional style picnic table; the Teign, a bench and dining table set; the Exeter, a large deluxe bench and table; along with fence posts and decking.

Simon Almond, DCW Polymers Managing Director, hopes the new garden range will actively reduce the burden that plastic waste has on the environment.

Simon commented: “We truly believe that achieving a circular economy is the way forward when it comes to tackling plastic waste in the South West. We continually strive to find ways in which we can feed waste plastic granules back into the manufacturing industry, reducing the need for virgin plastic products to be made. After months of trials and ironing out the kinks, we’re delighted to launch the DCW Polymers’ 100% recycled garden range.

“Not only does this process save valuable energy and keeps plastic waste away from our ecosystem, it creates sustainable, long-lasting furniture and products which unlike its wood alternative, will not rot, splinter, or corrode. This will reduce the need for businesses that provide outdoor seating for customers or employees to keep replacing their outdoor furniture or decking areas.”

DCW Polymers will launch the recycled garden range at Toby’s Garden Festival at Powderham Castle on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th June 2021.

Gardening expert, TV presenter and author, Toby Buckland said: “The innovative work of DCW Polymers to recycle waste plastic is fantastic and just what the South West needs. Sustainable living is a growing priority and their pioneering effort to turn waste destined for landfill into useful and beautiful decking and furniture is brilliant. Hats off to Simon and the DCW Polymers team!”

For more information about our recycled furniture range, please click here.

DCW Polymers embraces circular economy with the launch of recycled plastic furniture range Read More »

Recycle & Raise fundraising announcement!

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Recycle & Raise 2020/21 fundraising success!

Having raised over £1,200 for Dartmoor Zoo in our first year of Recycle & Raise, we weren’t sure what to expect when lockdown 3.0 was announced in the middle of the 2020/21 collection…

However, our worries and fears can be forgotten, as we are so pleased and proud to announce that the 2020/21 collection has raised… *drumroll please*

£4,096.60!

This is a wonderful donation, being split 50/50 between Dartmoor Zoological Park and Mind! This money will make a huge difference for both charities.

Thank you to each and every one of the 100+ businesses, schools and organisations who have accepted donations on our behalf throughout November 2020 through to March 2021. From the amazing people who have had mountains of tubs stacked in their garages (and front rooms!), to the people who saved their tubs and donated in the wind & rain of winter, to those of you who shared the adverts with your friends – THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! We really couldn’t do it without you.

When we had this brainwave back in 2019, seeing stacks of tubs in the supermarkets and wondering if we could do something amazing with the plastic, we never expected to be here 18 months later having raised over £5,300 to date and counting!

We’re so pleased to let you know that Recycle & Raise is back – this time all year round! You can now donate your plastic bottle tops to any DCW Polymers depot throughout the year! You can find out more here: Recycle & Raise is back – all year round!

Of course, from the end of 2021, you will be able to donate your empty plastic tubs to a huge variety of drop-off points across the South West through our amazing collection partners. From November to February, over 100 local businesses join forces to accept your donations! Keep an eye out at the end of the year to see where you can take your confectionery tubs! If you’d like to sign up as a collection partner, just email [email protected] 

Since 2019, Recycle & Raise has been running with the aim of recycling huge quantities of plastic and raise money for charity!

Recycle & Raise your clean milk bottle tops throughout the year!

What happens to the tubs now?

Even more excitingly for this year, we are pleased to say that the PP and HDPE plastic from the tubs and bottle tops will go directly into our Polymers manufacturing centre, where we will use the plastic to make our NEW Recycled Plastic Furniture! We’re so proud that plastic collected in the South West will now be made into benches sold in the South West. Who knows – you may end up sitting on a bench made with tubs you once ate sweets from!

The Exeter Bench & Table Set
The Exeter Bench & Table Set

Recycle & Raise 2020/21 Charities

Dartmoor Zoological Park

Dartmoor Zoological Park is a unique zoo set in 33 acres of beautiful parkland on the outskirts of Plymouth. The Zoo’s CEO Benjamin Mee wrote a book about buying the zoo called We Bought A Zoo, which was later became the subject of a major Hollywood film starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johannson! The Zoo registered as a charity in 2014 which has strengthened it’s future and opened up new and exciting opportunities. DCW Polymers has worked closely with Dartmoor Zoo since our MD became a trustee of the charity, and we partnered with them for our 2019 Recycle & Raise campaign! With the Covid-19 restrictions affecting visitor numbers this year, Dartmoor Zoo need our help!

Mind

Mind is a mental health charity who provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Covid-19 restrictions have affected everyone in different ways this year,  it’s still very uncertain times which is why it is so important to shine the light on mental health and provide support to those who may be struggling.

Recycle & Raise fundraising announcement! Read More »

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