Amcor, a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, has helped Hepworth Junior and Infant School in West Yorkshire restore access to its wildlife pond and outdoor learning environment using infrastructure manufactured from recycled plastic materials.
The project demonstrates how recycled materials can be used in practical community applications, helping schools and local organizations maintain valuable outdoor spaces while extending the useful life of recovered plastics.
The school’s wildlife pond and surrounding woodland form an important part of its curriculum and Forest School program, providing pupils with opportunities to learn about nature, biodiversity and sustainability through hands-on outdoor learning. However, the existing timber boardwalk had deteriorated after prolonged exposure to permanently damp conditions and required replacement.
The new boardwalk was constructed using Plaswood®, a material manufactured at Amcor’s Dumfries, Scotland facility from at least 95% recycled plastic. The material incorporates recycled rigid plastic waste as well as a proportion of recycled agricultural stretch film, helping transform recovered plastics into durable products for long-term infrastructure applications.
The Dumfries site plays an important role in recycling agricultural plastics collected from farms across the UK, supporting the recovery and reuse of materials that can be used in a range of practical applications.
Mark Crouch, headteacher at Hepworth Junior and Infant School, said, “Our woodland is now an essential element of our curriculum and our
thriving Forest School programme. We chose Plaswood because the boardwalk is located in a permanently damp environment, with posts standing in water and the frame sitting on mud. We wanted a material that would last a long time and wouldn’t rot.
As an eco-school, it was important for us to choose a product manufactured from recycled materials. This aligns with our environmental values and provides a practical example to pupils of the value of recycling.
The materials look good in our woodland setting. They aren’t as slippery as previous timber structures and have helped create a safer surface for our pupils to walk on. The finished project looks fantastic and fits naturally within the woodland. I believe it will last for many years and require significantly less maintenance than timber.”
Alistair Richardson, sales manager at Amcor, said, “Projects like this demonstrate the value recycled materials. By transforming recovered plastics into durable products for community and educational settings, we can help support practical infrastructure projects while extending the useful life of valuable materials.
“It’s particularly rewarding to see these materials being used in a way that helps young people engage with nature, biodiversity and outdoor learning.”
The completed installation has restored access to the school’s wildlife pond and woodland learning area, allowing pupils to once again make full use of the space for Forest School activities and outdoor learning.
As organisations across Europe continue to look for practical ways to incorporate recycled materials into everyday projects, the Hepworth installation highlights how recovered plastics can be used in durable, long-term applications that support both community spaces and educational environments.
To learn more about Plaswood recycled plastic outdoor furniture, fencing, planters and outdoor infrastructure solutions, visit https://plaswood.eco/.
