Councillors and campaigners from Mendip and south Somerset are urging local businesses, councils, event organisers and the Government to ‘go green’ in 2019. They are praising the work of Frome company, Protomax, who are leading the way.
“It’s time for the next local green revolution, one where local businesses, event organisers, local councils and the Government save money as well as our planet,” said Adam Boyden, Mendip councillor.
Liberal Democrat councillors and campaigners visited Protomax, the Frome-based plastics engineering firm, to find out more about its innovative work recycling waste materials.
Adam Bouden (parliamentary candidate for Somerton & Frome) and fellow Mendip councillor Tom Ronan (Wells), South Somerset District Council cabinet member Henry Hobhouse (Castle Cary), and campaigner Gordon Czapiewski (Wincanton) met Protomax founder Nick Stillwell to hear about Storm Board, a hard-wearing and weather-proof material made from 100% waste plastic, which, at the end of its use, is 100 per cent recyclable, making it a cost-effective and durable alternative to MDF, chipboard or plywood.
The local firm has expertise in reusing plastic waste, having already worked with Frome Town Council to turn their waste into new uses such as public noticeboards, and now has contracts with several major supermarkets and construction firms.
Advertising hoardings placed around building sites are currently mainly made from plywood panels, imported from China and Brazil. To add to this carbon footprint the spent wood becomes landfill after only a single use, whereas Storm Board can be re-used and recycled over and over again.
Cllr Boyden said, “The UK’s reliance on imported plywood means millions of trees are felled and end up in landfill – what a shocking waste! We can, and must, change this. It’s clear plastic recycling and repurposing is a key part of a solution.
“I think we would all agree that what Protomax does is amazing – a small company in Frome with the technology and an ambition to tackle two major environmental threats: plastic pollution and deforestation. We are urging local businesses, schools, event organisers, local councils and Government departments to be inspired and get in touch with Protomax to find out how they can save money and the planet. Of course, they would also be and supporting, and support a brilliant local business.”
Protomax founder Nick Stillwell said, “We use waste plastics to produce a board that, due to its weather resistant properties, can be reused many times and recycled into another board at the end of its life. There are multiple benefits: we’re clearing up plastic waste, producing a reusable hoarding board locally and saving the rainforest.
“Site hoardings are just one of many products created by Protomax from upcycled plastic waste, including garden furniture, worktops, sales desks and bin minders in public areas.”
In 2018, Protomax designed and built a Storm Board e-house for shipping to the Dominican Republic as a demonstration model for low-cost housing. NickStillwell said there was a lot of interest in the country in setting up a Protomax plant to convert plastic waste into building products.
Protomax has been recognised for its work by retailer M&S, winning the Ecobuild & M&S Big Innovation Pitch and was chosen as one of Kevin McCloud’s Green Heroes at the Grand Designs Live Show.
In 2018, Protomax designed and built a Storm Board e-house for shipping to the Dominican Republic as a demonstration model for low-cost housing. Nick Stillwell said there was a lot of interest in the country in setting up a Protomax plant to convert plastic waste into building products.
Protomax has been recognised for its work by retailer M&S, winning the Ecobuild & M&S Big Innovation Pitch and was chosen as one of Kevin McCloud’s Green Heroes at the Grand Designs Live Show.
Above: Nick Stillwell, second right, with councillors at his plant in Frome
