Ashington youngsters let green energy get bottled up

Posted by The Journal on Dec 13, 08 10:31 AM in News

A group of young people in Northumberland have created the ultimate 'greenhouse' - by building it from 1,500 recycled plastic bottles.

The 14 youngsters on the Community Space Challenge programme in Ashington have constructed the eco-friendly greenhouse on the town's Seaton Hirst allotments, using bottles donated by waste management company SITA UK.

They plan to grow their own fruit and vegetables in the greenhouse and surrounding allotment, which they have spent time developing over the summer.

The Community Space Challenge is a five-year programme funded by the Big Lottery, which aims to support young people who want to take a leading role in transforming their local community and environment.

The Ashington project is one of 70 chosen to receive funding and is managed by the Northumberland Youth Offending Service and delivered by the town's Hirst Welfare Centre and Positive Futures.

Glynis Reynolds, Community Space Challenge co-ordinator, said: "We want to give young people in east Ashington a chance to make a real difference in their community by identifying areas that can be improved.

The allotment and greenhouse are just one of these areas. The young people are also learning about gardening from the other allotment holders, which helps break down barriers between generations and cultures."

Charlotte Jones, business manager at SITA UK's North Tyneside waste transfer station, said: "To take something like a plastic bottle and make it into a working greenhouse is fantastic, and a great use of a very popular product."

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