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Steve Murphy is the CEO of a not-for-profit charity called Envision. This organisation has paired up with the Rotary Club of Wyndham to deliver the Helping Hands project, which turns recycled plastic bottle caps into prosthetic hands. He said there are 2 1/2 times more bottle caps in the ocean than plastic bags. Animals can choke on the caps. Steve explained that, by using a $300 3D printer and a handmade machine that turns bottle caps into filament, the team can custom-make a hand that allows the wearer to undertake basic tasks such as picking up a cup or holding a fork. The team, led by Joe Ferlazzo, is keen to create 100 of these prosthetic limbs for kids in disadvantaged communities throughout Cambodia and other Third World countries – but first, they need people to donate as many plastic bottle caps as they can. The project is using an $18,000 Wyndham council grant to get schools involved in the project. The aim is to collect 1 million bottle caps. The team is also seeking funding to allow them to buy a higher-quality 3D printer and other supplies. Joe, who helped develop the prototype, said it was a cheap, simple concept that could change somebody’s life. He said it took about 500 grams worth of recycled bottle caps, and 40 hours of work, to create one hand. Steve Murphy said the project also trained and mentored long-term unemployed job seekers. Click here to see a short video which explains what the Helping Hands project is all about. Not only does the team produce prosthetic hands but they also produce many other items that aid people with disabilities. Some of these include a device to open tin cans and another to help people open doors easier with their keys. Joe has even created a robotic toy which attracts much interest from the school kids. Below is a picture of some of the items that have been created from recycled bottle caps. 
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