Representatives from the Culver and Lake Maxinkuckee Visitor Center are working with the organization Green Tree Plastics to transform ordinary plastic bottle caps that often get discarded into extraordinary additions for the Culver community.
Executive Director of the Visitor Center, Becca Pazin, said initially the project was focused on getting two new benches for the walking and biking trail that is currently being developed through the Stellar Designation program. She said it takes approximately 400 lbs to make one bench and currently the center has collected more than 1,000 lbs of caps.
They plan to keep collecting caps in order to make more benches for the path and other areas around town but Pazin said they’re also looking into different options that Green Tree offers such as converting the caps into waste receptacles, picnic tables and water stations.
Members of the Culver Boys and Girls Club are helping with sorting the caps and the Marshall County Recycle Depot assists with weighing and storage. Pazin said the project has brought the entire community together.
“It’s really been a community effort and the schools have all picked it up.” Pazin said, “Weekly we’re emptying a 55 gallon bin, whether it is from the elementary school, Park and Shop, the library or the Academies.”
Pazin said aside from being thankful to the Culver community for coming together, she is also grateful for the assistance that has come from other parts of Marshall County. She said she has been very happy with the response and reported that she’s even had individuals come from out of the state to donate caps for the project.
She said the Marshall County Recycle Depot volunteered to drive down to Evansville to drop off the caps and pick up the first couple of benches from Green Tree Plastics. They will cost approximately $225 each. The first benches will be covered by the town but Pazin said there have been several interested individuals who have requested to donate funds for future items.
If you wish to help out with project, any solid caps less than 8 inches can be donated as well as plastic medicine bottles. Be sure your donations do not contain any metal. If you have any questions feel free to stop by the Visitor Center at 102 West Jefferson Street in Culver or call 574-635-0054.
