Gardener shows recycling can be convenient

A Manchester gardener has come up with a unique way of recycling waste - by turning an old toilet bowl into an attractive plant pot.

Paula Moulton, from Ardwick, came up with the idea when a neighbour told her she was throwing the item out, and she has now created a garden entirely out of recycled objects.

The toilet sits alongside an old Belfast sink, also turned into a plant holder, while scaffolding boards have been used to make flowerbeds. Pebbles, from an old footpath being torn up by workmen, have also been incorporated.

Paula's creation is just one idea to be featured in Manchester City Council's Recycling Top Tips book, being produced as part of the Challenge Manchester - 100 Days To A Cleaner, Greener City campaign.

Manchester residents are being given the opportunity to share their recycling ideas, however unusual, throughout the campaign, launched on February 14

The ideas will run alongside comments given by keen recyclers like celebrity chef Simon Rimmer, and will be presented in a book launched after the campaign.

Paula's ideas also caught the attention of judges at the council's Gardening Competition, held on Friday, February 29 at Manchester Town Hall.

She has been nominated for an award at the event, hosted by Northwest Tonight presenter Gordon Burns.

Councillor Eddy Newman, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "Recycling is a main priority for the City Council, and we know how enthusiastic our residents are about this issue. That's why we want anyone with interesting ideas for recycling waste to get in touch with us."

Anyone who wants to place an idea in the book should e-mail campaigns.team@manchester.gov.uk.

Manchester City Council launched Challenge Manchester - 100 Days to a cleaner, greener city 2008 on February 14 at Manchester Town Hall. The campaign will run until 24 May 2008, featuring 100 days of intense activity all over Manchester with the first 50 days focussing on green issues - primarily waste minimisation, recycling and climate change - and the next 50 days focussing on community clean-ups, local environmental improvements and planting schemes.

The council will also be asking residents and businesses about what they want the council to do to help them minimise waste and recycle more. Challenge Manchester began in 2004 with "Challenge Manchester: 100 Days to a Clean City", and in its fifth successful year the campaign returns to its core aim to "clean up" the city.

More information about Challenge Manchester and how you can participate appears on our website http://www.challengemanchester.co.uk/ .You can also e-mail campaigns.team@notes.manchester.gov.uk or telephone 0161 954 9000.