Lancashire plastic and bakeware manufacturer What More treated children from its local Belthorn Academy Primary School to a tour of its high-tech factory earlier this week.
Students, teachers and governors alike were amazed at the scale of the operation, which turns out 5.6 million pieces of plastic a month. Rows of fully automated robotic arms and injection moulding machines the size of minibuses work together to ensure that orders can be fulfilled in lightning speed.
Nathan Griffiths, teacher and STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths] coordinator at Belthorn Primary, commented: “Our rural village school provides the kids with an incredible learning environment, but industrial visits like this are fantastic. I’m incredibly passionate about STEM and teaching it; it should always inspire, and with visits like today, children get to see how the topics I teach in the classroom everyday transpire in their future careers.”
Yvonne Brown, chair of the governors at Belthorn Primary was impressed with What More’s upcycling, and recycling initiatives. Since last year What More has diverted nearly 100 tonnes of plastic from landfill, repurposing it to make its upcycled and recycled ranges. The demand has been so strong that the company has had to purchase scrap plastic from other manufacturers.
What More company director Tony Grimshaw OBE commented: “These children are our customers and colleagues of tomorrow. We are keen to show them who we are and what we’re doing.”
He also explained: “The other reason for this visit is that plastic products are much maligned by journalists using the word ‘plastic’ on its own, when what they really mean is ‘single-use plastic’.”
Tony stated: “Not all plastic is drastic – some plastic is fantastic”. He continued: “You tell the man with heart problems who’s had a stent fitted that all plastic is bad; he won’t agree with you, I’m sure. We’re not trying to change the kids’ opinions about what’s good or bad. We just want to present the other side of the story so they can make an informed decision. We’re proud of everything we do, from the Upcycled range, which is made from 95% post-consumer plastic, through to the kitchenware, the bakeware, and the garden products.”
What More UK hopes this project will become a template for further engagement with local schools and also stimulate interest in its apprenticeship scheme. Currently the organisation has five local apprentices who have all been offered full time jobs reflecting their hard work and dedication.
Top: Local school children explored the world of What More’s factory in Lancashire.
