Monday, 20 April 2026
Dingley Village Men’s Shed Wins Prestigious National “Green Shed Award” for Innovative Plastic Recycling Project
The Dingley Village Men’s Shed has been officially named the joint winner of the 2026 Green Shed Award by the Australian Men’s Shed Association. The award, presented at the association’s annual Gathering and Awards Night, recognises the Shed’s outstanding commitment to sustainability through its large-scale plastic recycling initiative.
Since the project’s inception, the team has successfully diverted over 20,000 plastic milk containers from landfills and local waterways, transforming them into durable, serviceable products for the community.
From Vision to Innovation
The journey began in 2019 when a group of retired engineers at the Shed sought a solution for the growing problem of plastic waste. What followed was years of custom engineering and persistence:
The Shredder: Member David Taylor designed and refined the first shredding machine to process plastic into the perfect granule size.
The Extruder: In 2020, Kevin Strahan fabricated a custom extrusion machine using the Shed’s own lathes and welding bay, while Robert O’Brien designed and assembled the complex electronic systems required to run it.
Persistence Through Lockdown: During the 2020 COVID-19 restrictions, the team conducted over 500 trials in a member’s garage to perfect the temperature and speed settings required to produce high-quality recycled materials.
Turning Waste into Community Assets
By 2022, the Shed moved into regular production. Today, they utilise a variety of custom dies to create everything from garden stakes to heavy-duty furniture. Their impressive production tally includes:
36 Two-Person Benches: Each repurposing 275 two-litre milk bottles.
6 Benches with Backrests: Using 414 bottles each. 100 Garden Stakes 1.8 metres in length.
4 Adironrack (Cape Cod) style Deck Chairs.
Special Projects: Including six oversized bench seats custom-built for a local bowls club, as well as planter boxes and deck chairs.
A Team Effort
The project’s success is driven by the current core team of Kevin Strahan, Ken Groves, Brian Esmond and Damien McShane supported by the entire Dingley Village Men’s Shed membership who consistently supply the empty containers that fuel the machines.
The Green Shed Award highlights how local community groups can lead the way in environmental engineering and circular sustainable economy practices. These awards are a powerful reminder of the impact Men’s Sheds have across Australia – improving lives, building healthy communities, and creating places where everyone belongs.
Plastic storage area
The very noisy chopper/granulator
Plastic granules are sieved for the correct size
Plastic caps are used to provide colour
A 50mmx50mm die mounted to the plastic extruder
Damien resetting a die
Metal dies and the different profiles
Our Shed made plastic extruding machine
Extrusions are still pliable and have to be clamped to keep straight
Bench legs 2 pair waiting for completion
Kevin with wooden jig for assembling the legs of bench seat
Two person bench seat
A couple of the large benches made for Keysborough Bowls Club
About Dingley Village Men’s Shed:
The Dingley Village Men’s Shed provides a productive space for members to share skills, work on community projects, and support men’s health and wellbeing through social connection and practical activity. Other activities include: Woodworking, Music, Photography, Art, Metalworking, Automotive, Bike Riding, or just sitting down and having a chat.
Media Contact:
Peter O’Leary, DVMS President.
0402062889
Drop1948@bigpond.net.au
