Recycled Plastic Drums: Respect Every Drop
Roy Romer Middle School
Creating a rain barrel out of recycled materials to save water.
This project is a water-saving project which prototypes the repurposing of a food-grade drum to work as a DIY rain barrel. The team demonstrates alternative uses for large plastic containers that would otherwise end up in the landfill as well as potential solutions for those who otherwise might not afford a new rain barrel. Respect Every Drop is also a symbol and educational tool at the school campus which utilizes beautiful designs in order to attract more attention to the need for things such as rain barrels and to promote the message that saving water can be just as much fun as it is important. With the barrel as a symbol, the group ran a school-wide unfinished water bottle drive, collecting water to be reused for floor mopping and to generate awareness. The group plans to eventually create a second barrel, add digital water sensors, and make a school green space specifically tailored to use the water their project collects.
