Plastic Fantastic Recycled Greenhouse

Would you rather build your own greenhouse out of recycled plastic bottles or purchase a finely crafted Gabriel Ash greenhouse made of naturally resilient Western Red Cedar?

It might appear a no-brainer to the majority of budding gardeners, but to pupils at Mayfield Primary School in North Ayrshire, the frugal option was one of eight projects that paved the way to environmental recognition.

The greenhouse was built in memory of their janitor of 13 years, Charlie Mulholland, and helped the school to achieve its Eco-School Green Flag award.

Following six months of intensive bottle collecting, pupils gathered to remove caps and labels and wash the bottles.  Staff stored the bottles in their garages until a frame was built and local company Spirit Aerosystems of Prestwick completed the greenhouse.

For details how schools, youth groups or even dedicated parents and grandparents can do this, see MakeYour Own’s website: http://www.makingyourown.co.uk/make-your-own-plastic-bottle-greenhouse.html.
 
Or you can purchase the Plastics are Fantastic booklet with full bottle-building instructions for just £12 from Sustainable Communities Initiatives at http://www.sci-scotland.org.uk/bottle.shtml.  

On the other hand, if you prefer a greenhouse that you can see out of as you recline with your G&T to watch the sun go down, Gabriel Ash would be delighted to assist.
 

Author: Robert Smith