ENTERPRISING Newquay students have come out on top in a business competition for their innovative idea.

Students at Newquay Tretherras clinched top honours at the South West Young Enterprise Company Programme final for their venture repurposing plastic from bottle tops into useful everyday items, which was held at The Falcon Hotel in Bude on Thursday, May 9.

The dynamic Re:Capped’s team, which consists  of Year 9 and 10 students, competed against six other esteemed schools and not only won the award for best presentation but also took home the prestigious title of best overall company of the year.

Re:Capped’s mission is to transition from creating products to producing large sheets of HDPE plastic that is 100 per cent sustainable as part of its commitment to manufacturing as well as driving change and raising awareness about plastic pollution.

The team is actively petitioning the government to mandate plastic labelling. Currently, many bottle tops cannot be reused due to lack of labelling, 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 and further demonstrate their commitment to education.

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.

The competition saw participation from several 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.

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 will now represent the South West in the Young Enterprise national finals, which will be held on June 6. If they are successful in the finals, they will represent the UK in Sicily in July.

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 specialises in enterprise education and financial education.

Anyone who can help with their equipment needs or support their children's book project can contact Hayley Bissenden at [email protected]

People can also follow their journey by following them on Instagram at @re.capped.