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I am thinking of making a greenhouse from old 2 litre plastic bottles as my winter project this year. I'd appreciate any advice from anyone who has done it. Does it work well? Does anyone have any plans? Is it stable in wind? I think I'll need about 1,500 bottles - so has anyone got any ideas about how long it will take to make?
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Ye gods you're either brave or foolish. I've heard of plastic bottles being used as mini-cloches but never heard anyone proposing to make a greenhouse out of them. How on earth do you propose to keep the structure in place? -
Vaugan school in Harrow made one - they were on the news - why don't you get in touch with them?Whooops - now what are the dogs getting up to?Comment
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Mrs RT here - sounds like an interesting project! Just googled it and hope this link helps
http://www.reapscotland.org.uk/repor...house%20v1.pdf
Good Luck
Never test the depth of the water with both feet
The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory....
Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.
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Brilliant link RT. This has almost inspired me. My trouble is that I'd start it, but not finish it. Plus I don't drink nearly enough to collect all those bottles.Originally posted by RedThorn View PostMrs RT here - sounds like an interesting project! Just googled it and hope this link helps
http://www.reapscotland.org.uk/repor...house%20v1.pdf
Good Luck
Looks to me like the design would leave some gaps around it.Current Executive Board Members at Ollietopia Inc:
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Why not get into contact with your local council?
If they have a recycling policy you may be able to get "sponsored" so to speak, but they may be able to give you them or at least point you in the right direction.
Perhaps go and hijack some of the plastic recycler bins?Comment
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I considered doing this at the beginning of the year but after researching the idea, (mainly on here as there was a thread about it) I decided it would be nuts for a couple of people to attempt. It worked as a school project but the amount of time it would take to wash, de-label and cut the bottles not to mention the space you would need to store them would be pretty collossal. Then after all that effort and time put into it, I'm not all that sure it would last more than a season. After one season in the sun the plastic would go brittle and the bottles would need replacing. Maybe not all at once, but I would expect a lot. I did think it looked like a fantasic idea and a great way to recycle but in practice i think it would be a nightmare. But if you still decide to have a go - good luck
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Looks pretty draughty to me. Do they seal each coulmn of bottles and seal where each bottle meets the ones above and below it?Comment
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The one in the link looks great! Think you would need to borrow 30 or so kids to build it though
WPC F Hobbit, Shire police
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Just remember it would have to be re 'glased' every year as plastic bottles will eventually crumble to dust when subjected to sunlight!
As long as the frame was solid though you could always convert it to a polytunnel at a later date I suppose, by covering it with plastic!
My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)
Diversify & prosper
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Personally I would think you might as well build it using polycarbonate sheeting. It'd be cheaper than the equivalent in bottles (based on their original price rather than the fact that you're finding a second use for them), would have less gaps, be easier to construct and wouldn't need replacing.Current Executive Board Members at Ollietopia Inc:
Snadger - Director of Poetry
RedThorn - Chief Interrobang Officer
Pumpkin Becki - Head of Dremel Multi-Tool Sales & Marketing and Management Support
Jeanied - Olliecentric Eulogy Minister
piskieinboots - Ambassador of 2-word Media Reviews
WikiGardener a subsidiary of Ollietopia Inc.Comment
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not exactly recycling is it?
it would be more enviromentally friendly to put the bottles in a recycle bin, once the bottles have been exposed to sunlight for a while, the plastic degrades and then becomes un-recylcable (?sp.) so would then end up as landfill.
I can remember reading up on this a couple of years ago and this was the one point that made me decide not to do it!Kernow rag nevra
Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.
Bob DylanComment
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....and for the next project you could build a space station out of old newspapers
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Thanks everyone.I've followed up all the links suggested and its given me much to think about. They are brilliant, and I can't help feeling if eight year olds can do it, then so can I.
I'm still investigating making a greenhouse out of wine bottles as I think it would be longer lasting and I'm giving a huge party at the weekend. But I think glass bottles will make the structure too heavy - so it'll be back to the plastic bottle idea. I'm intrigued to see if it will work.Comment
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