The best-case scenario with the Rotary funding is that we could have 2.75Million AUD approved funding by the end of July 21. Their stated aim is that the project matches their funding. Please all look at the Draft budget I have submitted to see our projected contributions over 5 years. We need to plan for some serious fundraising to meet our cash input targets. Lets brainstorm it.

Doesn't the pursuit of a funding strategy presuppose that one or more feasible action plans have been developed? So far the assumption has been that large amounts of funds are essential to kick off the project. What if the funds required aren't forthcoming? Will the project die?

I'd like us to explore one or more plans to progress the Ecotunnel experiment without funds or with minimal funds. One plan, for example, could look at the establishment of a few trial sites in which owners of the site pay for materials. As Dean knows, I'm planning to build a house needing a waste system and would love to see our land used as a trial site. I'm prepared to pay for the materials. Student researchers won't need funding to undertake testing. What other absolutely essential and unavoidable costs might there be for first stage prototype application and testing?

In regard to converting plastic waste into Ecotunnels, could the research not be undertaken by chemical engineering students? A old container or two could be used to house small-scale plastic shredders and store materials. A tunnel mould could be constructed from scrap metal. Perhaps Engineers Without Borders could be engaged to help this part of the project.

Given that we are looking to catalyse application of the idea into multiple villages in developing countries which won't have access to funds, why don't we attempt to set an example and show how it might be possible for them to apply the idea with minimal or no funds.

I should have made it clear that not everyone in our initial group will have wealthy friends they feel comfortable approaching. I think that this project will have to be done In phases, Richard. The first phase I agree can be done on a shoestring with all of the inputs coming from a voluntary effort like we are doing now and trials paid for by participants like you suggest. Once it comes to having project funding, however, assuming we do get a Rotary grant, then we are going to need a small group of full-time and part-time employees. This is what I have assumed in the EOI. Given the timeframe to submit It was not as collaborative as I would have liked but you are right we do need a strategic plan for how the project can be sustained with different funding scenarios and assuming a baseline of no external grant funding.

Richard, I have modified the proposal to take into account the good point you have made. Interested to see if you can support this modified proposal

I think an initial chat among contacts regarding interest in support funding is a good idea. I have a feral pig project in Cape York which had been offered exceptional amounts of money by the Federal Government but like most of the things they are up to these days, the offers were more about announcements than the cash. Since then an individual with good contacts in philanthropic groups in Australia has taken an interest and it seems to be moving well. The concept is to find sufficient funds to demonstrate it for one or two years then allow it to stand on its own feet by offering both product and training programs.

I have not as yet seen a physical drawing of Dean's proposal, however following up on Richard's suggestion; there is a group called Precious Plastics in Europe who offer an 'educational' model which is being proposed for a Circular Economy Wales project I am an advisor to in schools in Wales: preciousplastic.com

They have a unit which is built into a shipping container - the concept is to use a series of simple steps which feed into a 3 D printer. It seems neither complex nor expensive. I am assuming also that a single element of Dean's proposal would be something which could link into thousands of small pieces to create the whole. In Dean's case this might be mould rather than a printer and if tensile strength is not a major issue, it could use commingled plastics. Precious Plastics offer their machine designs on the net at no cost, if you wish to make it yourself. I have one colleague who 'expanded' the CAM drawings of their shredder so that we have a slightly larger unit to macerate fish, foxes and other smaller ferals.

I am also helping the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa to convert simple inputs like manures and food into hydrolysate for use as a foliar fertiliser. They have a very large philanthropic supporters who may be interested in GOSEP.

Another program that I am involved in is the PacWaste project in the Pacific region. It is funded by the EU whose interest in staying ahead of the Chinese influence in the region. The biggest benefits this project will get is from organic materials. So there are many options.

spot on Gerry I have contacted precious plastics already and waiting for a reply I have also contacted light plastics which use solar concentration to do rotational molding and again waiting for a reply. Good to see we are thinking in the same direction on this Gerry but I also agree with Richard that we could possibly engage Chemical engineering students to rise to this challenge. I am a Patreon supporter of Precious plastics!