We are currently in Morocco in the process of implementing a Permaculture Design and were wondering if anyone has had any experience of building a Polytunnel out of plastic water bottles. There are an enormous amount of plastic water bottles and although recylcing of them has started out here, many still find their way to landfill and reuse would be a much better way forward. We need to protect against cooler winter nights and against hot dry summer days.

I wonder if they would work like tyres if filled with earth, emitting heat during the nights and keeping the interior cooler during the summer, with perhaps the roof bottles kept empty to allow sunlight in?

Any thoughts / experience welcome.

thanks from Agadir. Anders

I think that would work. Have you ever tried to stand on an empty water bottle with the lid on? It will hold alot of weight. I have seen the water bottles used in the walls to frame-up the bond beam in Earthships. I think the moderator should chime in on the whole skylight idea,they will be able to tell you if it is a good idea or not.

thanks for this input, will wait to see if moderator chimes in but otherwise will give it a go.

using plastic bottles as the skylight???

I think they meant mimicking how the glass bottle bricks work but only with the clear plastic bottles. And something about a tunnel??

plastic bottles can be used in place of glass in any application. They are interchangeable. Glass provides more colors, plastic provides a more unique look.

not sure about the tunnel. will look for the next post here.

thanks!