A new shop is opening in Helston giving people a place to recycle their waste plastics – and have it turned into other things.

Matthew Nott is the man behind One Blue Eye, which is opening in Horse and Jockey Lane.

He shreds plastic into granulated form and moulds it to create items such as soap dishes and combs.

Matt, who on a larger scale also makes skateboard ramps, will be taking in two particular types of waste plastic, in particular from clubs and groups who he hopes will then come in to process it themselves and see how it can be transformed.

He is also working with charities who can collect up the plastic and then receive a percentage of the money from the sale of items it is turned into.

However, he is equally happy to take in plastic from anyone who wants to bring it in and would encourage anyone passing to pop in and find out more, adding: “They don’t have to buy stuff, they can learn a little bit as well.”

Matt said he originally had no plans to open a shop, and had been looking for a workshop with more space to process the plastic.

However, he said: “This location lends itself very well for people to be able to drop off their plastic waste.

“It’s also a space to do workshops as well, so people can get involved in recycling and processing their plastic.”

The front part of the shop will be retail, selling items he has made, while the back will be the workshop area.

Plastics that Matt can use are number 2 plastic, HDPE, and number 5, PP.

HDPE is plastic such as milk bottle tops, shampoo bottles and toiletries, while PP is often thicker plastic such as DVD cases.

Every product should have a triangle symbol with a number inside it somewhere on the item, indicating whether it is something Matt can use.

“What I’m trying to do is engage people in what is possible - to inspire people over what is possible with their waste,” he explained.

Matt hopes to launch the shop during the evening of Helston Christmas Lights Switch On - Friday, November 25 - with mayor Tim Grattan-Kane onboard to perform the official opening.

This is something entirely new for Matt, who has 20 years’ experience in the construction industry and up until August this year had worked as a contracts manager for Coastline Housing.

However, the pandemic and personal circumstances saw him looking for a change in direction and having surfed all his life, and always been environmentally conscious, this is something he feels passionate about.

“There are lots of people doing it all over the world, but my idea of it is to have it in the town, to have a community area that invites people in, and hopefully does something positive about plastic waste,” he added.