Recycling 2

Bricks: Not strictly recycled but rescued from an obscure fate. We built raised beds with the over-fired bricks that no one wants because they look too dark. The beds were to be painted in bright colours at the end of construction, so the appearance of the bricks was unimportant. Besides, the well-fired ones are more durable. Donated by Senhor Cordeiro, Rotary Club member and brick factory owner.

Wood: Donated off-cuts from other projects were used for benches and handrails.

Earth: Dislodged during excavations for the paths, all soil dug from other areas was backfilled into the raised beds, minimising the amount of imported earth required.

Plants for Free: Students propagated new plants by taking cuttings from stock plants in the College kitchen gardens and sowing seed saved by the cook. This minimised the need to buy new plants raised in commercial nurseries.

Yoghurt Pots: Seedlings were raised in old yoghurt pots, out of necessity since there was no budget for gardening materials. They turned out to be the material of choice since their size and ease of manipulation made them ideal for the job.

Worn Tyres: No use to car owners any more with the tread gone, the rubber is still very thick and sturdy, so they make perfect planters. The edges may be cut into patterns, they can be turned outside in, painted brightly or stacked to increase height. Stakes driven down inside the tyre stacks can increase stability.