A Norfolk-based training facility is doing its bit for the environment by becoming one of the first in the UK to use recycled plastic in its flooring.
Open Road West Norfolk has enlisted the expertise of Loughborough based Abacus Flooring Solutions, to become part of a movement that has already saved 5,825 kg of plastic waste from going into landfill.
The move came after the floor surface at the 1970’s building on Rollesby Road in Kings Lynn, was painted so many times that it became unfit for purpose.
The centre which is home to a state-of-the-art automotive workshop and training facility, has now installed this ‘world first’, environmentally friendly flooring in its four-bay motor vehicle workshop.
Using recycled plastics, Abacus Flooring Solutions installed its unique Abaplas flooring system, which uses waste plastic as a substitute bulking material in its industry-leading resin flooring.
This advancement has changed the course of resin flooring in the UK, by vastly reducing the volume of plastic ending up in landfill.
It also removes silica sand, which requires a carbon-heavy extraction process and is a dangerous substance when inhaled. Instead, silica is replaced with non-harmful recycled plastic, which has been ground down to a powder.
The result has ‘floored’ students and staff at the registered charity’s King’s Lynn based training centre.
Martin Slater, managing director at Open Road West Norfolk, said: “We called in Nick Megson and the team at Abacus Flooring Solutions after a recommendation. We relied heavily on the team’s expert advice and guidance on what would be the most suitable surface for us. The thought of being the first training centre to have a floor made from plastic, which would have gone to landfill is simply amazing.”
The team at Abacus Flooring Solutions used a diamond tipped grinder to prepare the floor, then laid resin and topped that with the recycled plastic finish.
The project tackled the existing 323 sqm floor space, and took four workers around a week to complete.
Nick Megson, managing director at Abacus Flooring Solutions said: “Open Road West Norfolk is such a valuable asset in the local community here. We wanted to give them a hard-wearing surface which would allow them to continue their work with these young people for many more years to come.”
Martin added: “I had struggled to find a firm locally to do the work competitively. Nick and his team at Abacus Flooring Solutions have been brilliant. They were faultless and nothing was too much trouble. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough.”
He added: “The transformation is just incredible – it’s like night and day in terms of safety and look.”
Open Road West Norfolk was established in 2009 in response to a lack of alternative training facilities for disadvantaged, vulnerable and excluded young people aged 14-16. These young people have all experienced difficulties in school and mainstream education.
The centre works with up to 60 different young people delivering 90 training days each week, using practical on the job skills to engage them in professionally recognisedaccredited training.
Martin added: “The professionally finished flooring provided by Abacus Flooring Solutions creates a real wow factor for our young people.”
