Turning trash into treasure

MIKE HOWELL, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS

In a world where 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, a staggering 91% of it goes unrecycled, often ending up in landfills or polluting our oceans. This sobering reality poses one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time: what do we do with all this plastic waste? For Paddy Whittakers (OGC 2017) and George Johnston (OGC 2017), the answer was simple but revolutionary – turn it into something beautiful, practical, and built to last.

Meet The Plasticians – a duo looking to make their mark in sustainable manufacturing.

Founded by two young innovators, Paddy Whittakers and George Johnston, this Hamilton-based business is seeking to re-define the way we view recycled plastic.

Driven by a passion for sustainability and a desire to make a tangible difference, Paddy and George are transforming waste into beautifully designed, long-lasting products that speak to a greener future.

The Plasticians are focused on sustainability, creating long-lasting products from recycled plastic rather than single-use items that end up in landfill. They aim to make products with a lifespan equal to that of plastic itself, ensuring their products are still recyclable at the end of their use.

An unexpected path to innovation

Paddy and George’s journeys after school took some unexpected turns before they found their path.

George attended university part-time for four years, after College, studying engineering with a focus on renewable energy, but found it wasn’t the right fit for him. Instead, he stepped into sales.

After trying out several sales roles, including one at Tesla, he still wasn’t feeling settled and was determined to find a purpose that aligned with his passion for sustainability.

Paddy’s path was similarly winding. Starting a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, he then switched to Agricultural Science, which he found much more engaging.

A summer job on a sheep and cattle farm near Hamilton affirmed his choice, so much so that Paddy returned to the same job the following summer, and transitioned to a full-time role for the next two years.

Building a vision – one plastic sheet at a time

By the end of their separate adventures, both Paddy and George found themselves at a crossroads: unemployed but brimming with ambition. It was then that the seed for The Plasticians was planted.

Aware of the devastating impact of plastic waste on our environment, Paddy and George were keen to help.

And they found the perfect solution: turning plastic waste into usable items. Their mission being to ‘redefine plastic as a valuable resource’.

They began researching manufacturers in that space and found a Sydney-based company that melted discarded plastic into large-scale sheets – ready for manufacturing.

It would have been the perfect match, if not for the price of the sheets – they were expensive.

This meant Paddy and George’s end product prices would need to be increased to compensate, and they would be priced out of their own consumer market.

Not easily deterred, Paddy and George had an idea – why pay exorbitant prices to source plastic sheets when they could manufacture them themselves ?

Harnessing Paddy’s woodworking and metalworking skills, and following manufacturing plans from the global not-for-profit ‘Precious Plastic’, they set about building their own heated press – in a shed on a family friend’s farm in Wallington.

What they thought would take a month stretched into four as they tinkered, adjusted, and finally perfected their machine.

They found a supplier of recycled plastic beads – Hamilton-based Sustainable Plastic Solutions (SPS) –and got to work.

From a rural shed to a thriving hub in Hamilton

It soon became clear that The Plasticians needed more space.

After an arrangement fell through for warehouse space in Melbourne, they were fortunate to be offered space in the warehouse of their plastic bead supplier – Sustainable Plastic Solutions (SPS), and made the move to Hamilton.

Conveniently – the move meant their factory is now located just 20 metres from SPS’s recycling facility.

Precision in production

Since relocating, Paddy and George have further improved their press to enhance the plastic sheet quality and ensure consistency.

Their products are designed in CAD software for precision, with parts cut using a CNC water jet.

Sustainable products with purpose

Paddy and George’s innovative designs rely on clever slot-together joinery inspired by traditional mortiseand-tenon techniques, eliminating the need for screws or glue.

From plant stands to vinyl record holders, their creations are not only eco-friendly but also aesthetically pleasing and modern.

A growing reputation

Currently, their primary source of sales is online – driven by instagram and other platforms.

Paddy and George are currently refining their product range and preparing for a website relaunch.

They have been excited to see sales coming in from interstate, and as far afield as Amsterdam.

Larger projects, too, are on the horizon, including creating a counter for a café in Perth and manufacturing furniture for offices in South Yarra and Fitzroy.

Giving back and looking ahead

Throughout their journey, Paddy and George have received immense support from various individuals, whether through direct assistance, insights, or business advice.

George, inspired by the help they’ve received, aims to mentor others in the future. He shares, are best positioned to help the person you once were.”

Paddy and George both aspire to mentor others and expand their impact in the sustainability space. Their eyes are also set on broader opportunities, including creating software to track recycled materials – something the Australian government will soon require.

The future of plastic, redefined

Keep an eye on Paddy and George as they prove how a focus on sustainability can lead to impactful business ideas.

Want to know more? Watch Paddy and George’s story: www.bit.ly/TGC_Plasticians