Plastic marine waste becomes drinking water stations in a charity collaboration
RevMo has created dolphin-shaped water refill stations called ‘Aquatap’, made from recycled plastic ocean waste, for a marine conservation charity based in Cornwall.
We worked with charity Our Only World, along with a team of metal manufacturers and designers, to create the ground-breaking product which will see free drinking water available in 15 locations around Cornwall from this summer (2022).
The charity’s founder, Tina Robinson, explains how the project came about: “I got the idea from a trip to Australia where there are water refill stations everywhere and I was determined to get one back home in Polzeath.
“In 2018 we ran a design competition for students from Plymouth University and the winning design - and the name - was by Ross Matley.
“We then worked with Rob Thompson from Odyssey Innovation to source the marine waste which could then be moulded by our partners RevMo. It’s involved so many people and organisations to get to this point - and all local!”
Claire Walker, managing director at RevMo, says: “This was a project we really wanted to get behind. As Cornish residents and beach lovers with a family we could see the need for the refill stations and loved the idea to make them from recycled marine waste.
“We are particularly keen to work with customers on creating new products from recycled materials and are actively researching a variety of source materials to work with including waste artificial grass.
“It’s been quite a long project to bring to fruition because there are so many elements to get right, but it’s really exciting to finally see the Aquataps being installed around Cornwall.”
The first few stations to be installed are in Wadebridge, Padstow, Porthtowan, Newquay, Mevagissey, Carne Cove and Falmouth with more to follow including at a secondary school in Penzance.
Tina explains: “Other water refill stations that exist in Cornwall are supplied from a company in America. This seemed crazy to me as I thought there must be a way to do this using local companies in a more sustainable way.”
The project was funded by Cornwall Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy - money raised from new developments in Cornwall. Olly Monk, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for housing and planning, said: “The Community Infrastructure Levy allows us to raise funds from new developments and pass this on to help kick start community infrastructure projects, making a real difference.
“For our first round of CIL funding, we wanted to support endeavours which contribute to a greener world and make a positive impact on our communities - this innovative project is a fantastic example and I’m pleased we have been able to play a role in bringing it to fruition.”
And Paul Gilbert, programme lead for the Make It Net Zero initiative from South West Manufacturing Advisory Service, said: “This was a really fantastic project and exactly what we are looking to support. The local supply chain and collaborative nature of the project was a real bonus and the end result is great testament to sustainable British design and local manufacturing capability.” SWMAS provided a range of support to the charity including a small grant.
Claire added: “Technically this was a really challenging project because rotational moulding using waste plastics is more complex than raw polymer. The powder is not as consistent so we have to be able to cope with that variation while still ensuring a high quality end product. We had to run a lot of trial moulds in order to get the mix just right - but with persistence and the expertise of our production team, we got there in the end.”
Plumbing and installation of the Aquataps is being carried out by M&M Plumbing and Heating Ltd from Camelford; metal fabrication is done by Metalwork Solutions Ltd in Exeter and the project is managed by Redsoul Design Ltd in Exeter.
