A Bridge made from Plastic Bottles

According to Greenwise Business News the first road bridge built entirely from recycled plastic bottles has opened in the Scottish borders. Crossing the River Tweed at Easter Dawyck in Peeblesshire, the bridge is constructed from 50 tons of plastic bottles.

"Start-up company Vertech Limited partnered with Dawyck Estates, specialist bridge designer Cass Hayward LLP, Cardiff University’s School of Engineering, Rutgers University’s AAMIPP Department and Axion International – with support from the Welsh Assembly Government – to make the project a reality.
The bridge now spans the River Tweed at Easter Dawyck in Peeblesshire and forms part of the historic John Buchan Way. It was built off-site and assembled in just four days by a team from Glendinning Groundworks, a local Peeblesshire contractor, and 10 Field Squardron (Air Support), Royal Engineers.
Being made from plastic it won’t rust, requires no painting or regular maintenance and is 100 per cent recyclable, Vertech."

For the full article click here.

A solar water heater out of recyled plastic bottles

A Brazilian innovator has developed a solar water heater out of plastic bottles. Jose Alamo,  a retired mechanic developed the solar heater recycling plastic bottles that were not being picked up in his town of Tubarao. Since 1992 when he first came up with his invention. Alano has been busy giving talks and workshops in schools and community centres on how to DIY your own solar heating pannel. The Ecologist recently showcased Alano's work. Since then over 7000 people in Brazil have bebefited from his inventions, from which he has refused to profit. In his own words as quoted in The Ecologist article.. 'I am a simple person, but I am very aware of my own responsibilities as a consumer. The recycled solar water heater was just my small contribution to the environment, and to improve the lives of people who need to save money. I registered the invention, so nobody else could copy and profit from it. Although the information on how to build it is in the public domain and anybody can access it, there are two restrictions: to its industrial production and to its use by politicians during electoral campaigns.'


There are leaflets with instructions on how to DIY the pannel (in portuguese) however it is worth looking at the leaflet and then seeing some of the instructions in English from The Ecologist article.