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RUSTIE

RUSTIE was an idea in 2019 to enhance education and help reduce consumption of and divert single use plastics from land fill. With the hep of over 10 volunteers and a grant from Sustainability Victoria, RUSTIE was born and launched in March 2024. With  use of our in house designed and certified interactive hand operated machines – shredder, injector and extruder – we take a plastic lid from waste to a new product.

Fitted out with TV’s, and a full PA system information is displayed on the screens while our volunteers & presenters answer questions from participants.

Designed to operate off-grid, without the need for mains power. Complete with solar panels and batteries, and a closed compact size of just 1.8×1.2m, the trailer can be taken and operated anywhere. Fully expanded the trailer has a footprint of 3x6m.

INTERACTIVE MACHINES

Our founder Mat wanted to make learning to recycle plastic easy and accessible so together with his partner they designed a set of machine to do exactly that. Much time was taken to test and get them right 3 versions in fact. The result is a set of compact easy to use affordable and fully CE and RCM certified machines.

The first step in the process, the Shredder shreds plastic lids so they can be used in the Injector and Extruder.

The Injector then heats and melts shredded plastic so it can be injected into a mould, via a single shot.

The Extruder also heats the shredded plastic so it can be extruded into a mould. It comes out like spaghetti.

All machines are hand operated to encourage active participation from the community – taking a waste item and upcycling it into a viable product.

RUSTIE: A Solar-Powered Circular Economy Champion

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, so when we built RUSTIE, we made sure it was as circular as possible. Recycling plastic takes a lot of energy, but RUSTIE runs 100% on solar power, proving that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand.

With 400Ah of lithium batteries, 600W of solar capacity, a fixed 400W roof panel, and an additional 200W solar blanket, RUSTIE has never run out of power—no matter where we take it!

But power is just the beginning. RUSTIE is a mobile recycling powerhouse, equipped with a plastic shredder, two injection moulding machines, and an extrusion machine, ready to transform single-use plastics into something new and valuable.

Come rain or shine, our full batwing awning ensures we can operate in any weather, so we never miss an event.

To create an immersive and engaging experience, RUSTIE features two full-colour 4K TVs that can be used separately or together, plus a remote microphone PA system for interactive presentations or setting the vibe with music.

And for the ultimate finishing touch? We clad RUSTIE’s interior walls with 16,000 locally sourced plastic lids that were destined for landfill—reinforcing our commitment to closing the loop and making every element of RUSTIE part of the circular economy.

RUSTIE isn’t just a trailer—it’s a movement.

Program Information

What RUSTIE can do

With RUSTIE’s set of plastic recycling machines, we demonstrate how injection and extrusion moulding works, these two methods are used to make the majority of our consumer plastics.

Participants are able to make a multitude of small serviceable items from carabiners, Christmas ornaments, jewellery and the ever favourite Teck deck/finger board. Everything we make has a plastic code on it, so it remains 100% recyclable, driving a true circular economy.

CORPORATE EDUCATION

SCHOOL HOLIDAY EDUCATION