A whale preservation charity will fund Australia\u2019s first Indigenous-run marine plastic recycling enterprise, transforming waste plastic into objects of desire.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n
Gowings Whale Trust<\/a>, the NFP environmental organisation started by Gowings, is financing the MiiMi Aboriginal Corporation<\/a> to run a recycling operation facilitated by the Plastic Collective<\/a> to give recycled plastic a new life \u2013 out of our waterways and off our beaches.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n \u201c<\/strong>This partnership has the potential to be a really transformative project,\u201d says Plastic Collective founder and CEO, Louise Hardman. \u201cIt will help employ local people and protect marine animals, while demonstrating what a circular economy looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_column col_sm=”6″ padding_horizontal=”0″ width=”1\/2″ el_position=”first”] [spb_image image=”6907″ image_size=”full” frame=”noframe” caption_pos=”hover” remove_rounded=”yes” fullwidth=”no” overflow_mode=”none” link_target=”_self” lightbox=”no” intro_animation=”none” animation_delay=”200″ width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”][\/spb_image] [\/spb_column] [spb_column col_sm=”6″ padding_horizontal=”0″ width=”1\/2″ el_position=”last”] [spb_image image=”6906″ image_size=”full” frame=”noframe” caption_pos=”hover” remove_rounded=”yes” fullwidth=”no” overflow_mode=”none” link_target=”_self” lightbox=”no” intro_animation=”none” animation_delay=”200″ width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”][\/spb_image] [\/spb_column] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n The circular economy is based on recovering and recycling what was once regarded as waste plastic. But the waste is over, now plastic has a price.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n Plastic recovered by Aboriginal Sea Rangers will be broken down and turned into plastic pellets, with a monetary value, by the MiiMi Corporation. The process is funded by a donation of $167,000 from the Gowings Whale Trust to purchase a Shruder Recycling Station, with equipment stack designed by the Plastic Collective team. The pellets will be purchased by the Gowings company, Surf Hardware International, for the creation of surfboard fins and surf accessories. Completing the circle, Surf Hardware International donate 1% of their profits back to the Gowings Whale Trust, to fund projects like the MiiMi endeavour. Win-win-win-win-win.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_column col_sm=”6″ padding_horizontal=”0″ width=”1\/2″ el_position=”first”] [spb_image image=”6911″ image_size=”full” frame=”noframe” caption_pos=”hover” remove_rounded=”yes” fullwidth=”no” overflow_mode=”none” link_target=”_self” lightbox=”no” intro_animation=”none” animation_delay=”200″ width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”][\/spb_image] [\/spb_column] [spb_column col_sm=”6″ padding_horizontal=”0″ width=”1\/2″ el_position=”last”] [spb_image image=”6911″ image_size=”full” frame=”noframe” caption_pos=”hover” remove_rounded=”yes” fullwidth=”no” overflow_mode=”none” link_target=”_self” lightbox=”no” intro_animation=”none” animation_delay=”200″ width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”][\/spb_image] [\/spb_column] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n Managing Director of Gowings and founder of Gowings Whale Trust, John Gowing, says he\u2019s excited about the venture\u2019s potential.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n \u201cOne of the Whale Trust\u2019s key objectives is to improve the quality of the ocean for whales and all marine creatures,\u201d he explains. \u201cWe hope to use some of the recycled plastic to make products for our surfing business, Surf Hardware International.\u201d<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n A resource recovery centre will soon be operational in Bowraville on the NSW mid-north coast. The centre will be staffed by six Aboriginal Sea Rangers from Bowraville, Nambucca and Macksville. They will salvage plastic from the Nambucca marine and river catchments and provide environmental data to the NSW Government.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_image image=”6912″ image_size=”full” frame=”noframe” caption_pos=”hover” remove_rounded=”yes” fullwidth=”no” overflow_mode=”none” link_target=”_self” lightbox=”no” intro_animation=”none” animation_delay=”200″ width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”][\/spb_image] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n \u201cMost of the rangers already have a good working knowledge of the cultural aspects of the river and sea country,\u201d explains SCU Adjunct Professor and Director of Aquamarine Australia, Steve Smith, who is guiding the rangers\u2019 activities. \u201cFundamentally, this is about Indigenous people looking after the cultural and environmental values of their own river and sea country.\u201d<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n According to project co-ordinator Janette Blainey, from MiiMi Aboriginal Corporation in Bowraville, the project will provide meaningful employment.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to fulfil their birthright at the same time as providing an economically viable future,\u201d she explains. \u201cCountry will be taken care of by the people whose place in country it is.\u201d<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_image image=”6915″ image_size=”full” frame=”noframe” caption_pos=”hover” remove_rounded=”yes” fullwidth=”no” overflow_mode=”none” link_target=”_self” lightbox=”no” intro_animation=”none” animation_delay=”200″ width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”][\/spb_image] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n Manager at MiiMi, Patricia Walker says it wouldn\u2019t be possible without the support of Gowings Whale Trust.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n \u201cIt\u2019s great to know there are people with the wherewithal to do this who are really passionate about supporting this country and these waterways in the way that Gowings does,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n As well as ocean and river plastic from the Nambucca Valley, a consistent supply of waste plastic has been secured from ports on the east coast of Australia. Plastic collection points will also be set up at Gowings\u2019 shopping centre, Coffs Central.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n Plastic Collective has established similar micro-enterprises in Indonesia, Malaysia and on the Whitsunday Islands. But Louise Hardman has long wanted to start a project close to home.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n \u201cI\u2019m really happy because I feel like I\u2019ve come full circle,\u201d Louise says. \u201cHaving grown up in Coffs Harbour, I\u2019ve had a strong relationship with the marine park, the wildlife, the turtles — this is the project I\u2019ve been hoping for, for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n