Wheelie bins converted into water saving butts

A new scheme has been launched to help allotment holders store rainwater on site, reducing the need for mains water.

One thousand old wheelie bins have been provided by waste contractors May Gurney and adapted using taps from Bristol Water to convert them into water butts.

Both companies plan to work with the city council to make the new water butts  available to community groups and projects throughout the city.

An event was organised by the City Council’s allotment service at Thingwall Park allotments on Saturday to launch the scheme as part of Bristol’s Big Green Week. Bristol Water have sponsored a competition to find the most water efficient allotment site over the next year when the winner will receive £200 prize.

Cllr Gary Hopkins, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Community Safety said: “This is a win/win project for everyone involved. We recycle/re-use the city’s old wheelie bins for community use in a practical way to conserve water in our allotments. We want to help households to use their water efficiently and will examine the possibilities for use on a wider scale.

Cllr Guy Poultney, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “This is just the type of project that illustrates why Bristol is in the running for European Green Capital.  It is a simple, common sense water-saving project demonstrating the teamwork between the council, our partners and communities in Bristol.” 

Patric Bulmer, Bristol Water Environment Manager, said: "We are excited to be involved in such good idea. Collecting and storing water in these bins makes so much sense, saving water whilst making it much more accessible. We're also pleased to sponsor the competition to find the most water efficient allotment and look forward to finding out how these bins help." 

John Parkinson, from May Gurney added: “When the council asked for our help we had no hesitation in agreeing to provide the old wheelie bins. It is a really innovative scheme that benefits the local community, whilst at the same time helps the environment by reusing rainwater. May Gurney is delighted it is able play an important role in the project.”