We aren’t in hiding. We didn’t drown in ocean plastics (although it felt like a certain plastic farmer was trying to do just that). We didn’t give up, and we didn’t take a vacation (but wow, does a vacation sound nice right about now)!

Over the past few weeks, the Free Plastic team has been focusing on our infrastructure.

From February through June, we mainly focused on the research, development, and feasibility of harvesting plastic pollution and transforming it into usable objects, consumer wares, and works of art. We even did a workshop at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale where over 1200 people had the opportunity to learn about plastics, plastic pollution, plastic farming, local recycling, and our current recycling programs throughout South Florida. We are very grateful for all the support we have received in that time.

In those quick 5 months, what we learned was this: South Florida wants this. South Florida is ready for local, impactful, and effective recycling. We want to have a way to make an impact—and, we are ready to start making a positive change to our neighborhoods, our communities, and most importantly, our environment.

During July, we took a hard look at the resources and infrastructure we need to succeed.

To date we have been operating off of private funding from a small group of generous donors (you can join that group by donating here!). We are working on diversifying our revenue stream as we pursue grant opportunities and prepare for the launch of our web shop.

While launching our capital-raising phase, we have also been developing our infrastructure:

• We now have a shared, indoor workshop to continue developing our craft.
• We have secured various motors to begin the construction of our professional plastic recycling machines (shredder, injector, compression oven, and extruder).
• We have approached various machine shops to facilitate the machine building.
• We have constructed a crude machine to recycle thermoset plastics (and it works!).
• We have built reusable molds and frames, as well as various jigs to streamline our resin art production.

We’ll be trying to post more regularly as we get some REAL production going.

Stay tuned!