+44 (0)333 202 6800Recycled Plastic Challenge - Thrupp Primary
Executive Summary
Thrupp Primary School became the first school in Stroud to complete Plaswood's recycling challenge, an initiative designed to help pupils understand how household plastic film can be collected and recycled through specialist processes.
The challenge encouraged pupils to bring pre‑used polythene film from home for responsible recycling. Over 56 days, the school collected 100kg of material.
As a reward for completing the challenge, the school received a Snakes and Ladders Activity Picnic Table manufactured from Plaswood recycled‑plastic lumber. The table demonstrates how some recycled plastics can be remanufactured into long‑life outdoor products.
About the Client
ThruppPrimary School is a community‑focused school in Stroud with a strong commitment to environmental learning. The school regularly involves pupils, families and local residents in sustainability initiatives that encourage practical understanding of recycling and resource use.
With an active environmental curriculum, the school seeks opportunities that help pupils see how everyday materials can be responsibly managed.
The Challenge
Plastic film is widely used in households but is often difficult to recycle through standard kerbside systems. Schools and families face several challenges:
- Limited local recycling options for flexible polythene film.
- Low visibility of how this material is processed once collected.
- Few opportunities for children to follow the full recycling journey.
Thrupp Primary School wanted a hands‑on initiative that would engage pupils, involve families and demonstrate how specialist recycling works.
The Solution
Amcor launched the challenge to help schools collect pre‑used plastic film and learn about its recycling pathway.
ThruppPrimary School participated by:
- Collecting 100kg of plastic film over 56 days.
- Engaging pupils, parents and the wider community in the collection effort.
- Sending the material to Amcors' Dumfries facility, where it was washed, shredded and processed into recycled polymer feedstock.
- Receiving a Snakes and Ladders Activity Picnic Table, manufactured from Plaswood recycled‑plastic lumber* sourced from Amcor's broader recycled‑material stream.
The challenge helped pupils understand the recycling process while reinforcing the value of community participation.
*Recycled content percentage may vary by product specification.
The Results
The initiative delivered several benefits forThruppPrimary School and the wider community:
- High pupil engagement, with strong participation from families.
- A practical learning experience, showing how plastic film can be collected and responsibly recycled.
- A durable, low‑maintenance picnic table, suitable for daily use in the school playground.
- Increased awareness of responsible recycling behaviours among pupils and parents.
- A replicable model for other schools across the Five Valleys community.
The school reported strong enthusiasm from pupils, who took pride in contributing to the challenge and learning about the recycling process.
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