Re:Capped, a dynamic team of Year 9 and 10 students, clinched the top honors at the South West Young Enterprise Company Programme final held at The Falcon Hotel in Bude on Thursday, May 9. Competing against six other schools, Re:Capped not only won the award for Best Presentation but also took home the prestigious title of Best Overall Company of the Year.
The competition saw participation from several esteemed schools, including Clifton High School, The King Alfred School, St Mary's Caine, Baicarras Academy, Bournemouth School for Girls, and Devonport High School for Girls. Despite the fierce competition, Re:Capped stood out with their innovative approach and compelling presentation. The team impressed the judges with a four-minute presentation, a rigorous interview at their trade stand, and their overall business acumen.
Re:Capped’s mission is both innovative and impactful: they collect bottle tops and repurpose the plastic into useful everyday items. Looking to the future, they aim to transition from creating products to producing large sheets of HDPE plastic that is 100% sustainable. This ambitious pivot underscores their commitment not just to manufacturing but to driving change and raising awareness about plastic pollution.
In addition to their business ventures, Re:Capped is actively petitioning the government to mandate plastic labeling. Currently, many bottle tops cannot be reused due to lack of labeling, which hampers recycling efforts. Their advocacy for change is a crucial part of their ethos, reflecting their dedication to environmental sustainability.
Re:Capped has also written a children's book to raise awareness of plastic pollution, further demonstrating their commitment to education and community outreach.
The team is now seeking support from the local community to further their mission. They require an industrial-sized panni press or hot plate to melt HDPE into larger sheets, as their current equipment limits them to producing only A4-sized sheets. This constraint is restricting their potential, and they are calling on anyone who can assist to get in touch. On the 6 June Re:Capped will represent the Southwest in the Young Enterprise National Finals. If they are successful in the finals, they will represent the UK in Sicily in July.
If you can help with their equipment needs or support their children's book project, please contact Hayley Bissenden at hab@tretherras.net. You can also follow their journey on Instagram at @re.capped.
For more information, please contact: Hayley Bissenden Email: hab@tretherras.net
Re:Capped is a student-led enterprise dedicated to repurposing plastic waste and raising awareness about plastic pollution. Their innovative approach and advocacy efforts aim to create a more sustainable future. Young Enterprise is a national charity that specializes in enterprise education and financial education.