Bottles add up to create school's eco-greenhouse

Hundreds of plastic bottles have been used to make an eco-greenhouse at a Newark school.

Pupils at Barnby Road Academy collected 1,300 bottles to build the greenhouse for their renovated school garden.

The ends were removed and the bottles were slid on to garden canes, which are attached to wooden frames to make the roof and walls.

The school intends to grow tomatoes, runner beans and broad beans.

Barnby Road Academy is the first school this year to build an eco-greenhouse through a scheme run by the Rotary Club of Newark Castle.

Eight greenhouses were installed last year at schools and the club has plans to repeat that this year.

Schools work on the project with local businesses.

Mr John Barker, of the Rotary Club, said: “We are delighted the project is being so well received by the schools and the children, and also by the support and involvement of many local companies.

“Today we are grateful to Veolia (the county council’s waste manager contractor) for funding this greenhouse and to Newark and Sherwood Homes for participating with their staff to help build the greenhouse.

“The project provides an exciting new learning facility for the children and we are playing our part in reducing plastic waste, a subject receiving much attention now.”

Teacher Mr Duncan Barnett said, as part of the project, pupils creating bottle collection spreadsheets and bar charts, which developed their IT skills.

It costs about £200 in materials for each greenhouse.

Rebecca Rance, chief executive at Newark and Sherwood Homes, said: “Our staff are committed to making a difference in local communities, and as a local company we are keen to support sustainable initiatives across our district. Well done to everyone involved in this great partnership initiative.”