THE OUTLOOK #64

#64 heroic handyman, prohibited plastics and botanical bottles

PEOPLE

Meet Britain's kindest plumber

Britain's kindest plumber, James Anderson, has been thanked and labelled as a modern day hero. James and his team at DEPHER have helped over 2 million of the UK’s most vulnerable people, whilst fixing their plumbing, heating and electricity, the team also help to cover the costs of energy bills and deliver food parcels to those in need.

PLANET

Canada to ban single-use plastics

It has been recently announced that Canada will be banning the manufacturing and importing of many single use plastics by the end of the year. These regulations to prohibit harmful and difficult to dispose of plastics are part of the country's aim to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030.

PRACTICE

Upcycling is when you take an existing item and turn it into something else, giving it a new life. By repurposing items you already have at home, you are living a more sustainable lifestyle by reducing unnecessary waste.

On average in the UK 7.7 billion plastic bottles are used each year, the majority of these are discarded and end up polluting our planet.

For our third upcycling project we are going to reuse plastic bottles and put them to use in the garden.

1. Plastic bottle seedling protection

Why not turn your old plastic bottles into mini greenhouses?
Bottles are perfect for keeping recently planted seedlings safe from extreme temperatures and weather conditions, they also help to keep birds and unwanted insects away. Simply cut off the bottom of the bottle and place over your seedlings to make a mini bottle greenhouse.

2. Plastic bottle watering containers

Cut off the bottom third of the plastic bottle and remove the cap, then place the top of the bottle upside down in the soil and fill with water. This is a great way to keep your plants hydrated when it’s warm and the soil needs a lot of water, they are easy to top up and mean that the plants are able to have consistent water supply.

3. Plastic bottle planters

Simply cut the bottle in half, and fill with soil. Plant in your seeds, water and watch them grow. Once your seedlings are big enough you can replant them into a bigger pot or into the ground. Then you can reuse your plastic bottle planter again!

Have a read for even more ideas on how to reuse old plastic bottles in the garden:
https://www.growveg.co.uk/guides/10-clever-hacks-for-reusing-plastic-bottles-in-the-garden/