A shop owner in Helston is gearing up for Christmas by creating festive decorations made completely from waste plastic. 

Matthew Nott opened One Blue Eye on Horse and Jockey Lane during the evening of the Helston Christmas Light Switch on – Friday, November 25, 2022, and this year will celebrate one year since the shop was officially opened by then Helston town mayor Tim Grattan-Kane. 

Since then, Matt has been creating plant pots, jewellery and now Christmas decorations – all from waste plastics.

The Christmas decorations have been made using chocolate tubs which are popular at this time of year. Celebration's, Heroes', Quality Street and Roses tubs are broken up and put into a shredder. Following this, they are then put in a special heated machine, to be turned into a liquid-type consistency. A specially designed mould is placed underneath and once the liquid has left the machine, forms into a moulded design. 

Falmouth Packet: Can you guess which chocolate tub has been shredded? Can you guess which chocolate tub has been shredded? (Image: Kate Lockett)

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Members of the public, and local businesses such as Betty’s Tea Room on Meneage Street, and Lakeside Cycle Hire at Coronation Boating Lake have supported the business and continuously brought plastic into the shop, which Matt hopes will continue in the New Year.

Falmouth Packet: These beautiful earrings (purchased by Packet reporter Kate Lockett) were made out of recycled DVD cases These beautiful earrings (purchased by Packet reporter Kate Lockett) were made out of recycled DVD cases (Image: Kate Lockett)As well as the community support, Matt has welcomed local clubs including the Rainbows and Beavers and members of the town council so he can show them how items are made.

Matt has also been working with Martine Knight who launched Butterfly Woods in memory of her son David Hawke-Treneer who sadly died in 2013. 

Falmouth Packet: Matt uses special equipment to transform plastic into beautiful items Matt uses special equipment to transform plastic into beautiful items (Image: Kate Lockett)Although it’s a busy time for Matt, and more plastic is needed, he is looking forward to the future and hopes to teach more people, including the younger generation the importance of recycling. Matt said: “I would love more people to come here and see the potential for plastic waste.

“We are making some changes, so it will be more of a community place for people to stop by.

“People are welcome to come and see how items are created and share any potential ideas, the possibilities are endless.”

“Not only that, but it’s a place where people can come in and help, have a cup of tea and a chat.”

Falmouth Packet: Christmas decorations are now available to buy from the shop Christmas decorations are now available to buy from the shop (Image: One Blue Eye)With potentially more ideas in the pipeline, Matt is asking members of the public to continue to bring in plastic waste, as well as more black plastic.

For more information on One Blue Eye visit https://www.facebook.com/oneblueeyecornwall