Steps

1 Cut a hole in the bottom of 36 (or 2/3) of your bottles. This is the size of
the bottle cap. The idea is that the top of another bottle will snap right in
and not fall out, so be careful that it is not too big or too small. It is easiest
done with a very sharp knife, or by heating a knife in a candle for a few
seconds then cutting the hole. (If you are doing this in a school it is good to
bring a sample and show the kids the size of the hole. Ask them to have
their parents/teacher help them cut holes before you come to construct the
garbage can. This is the most time consuming part of the project and its
much easier if they do the holes at home).
2 Fill 18 (or 1/3) of the bottles halfway with dirt (if there are a lot of stones or
rocks in the dirt, filling the bottle of the way is fine). Variation: fill 18
bottles with trash. The idea is to fill the bottom bottles to give the garbage
can some weight so it doesnt blow away.
3 From the bottom of each bottle, measure up 10 centimeters (3.9 in) and
mark it on two sides. Use a candle to heat a piece of wire and poke two
holes through each bottle at the 10 centimeter (3.9 in) mark.
4 Make 18 columns of bottles with 3 bottles each. The bottle with dirt is on
the bottom, an empty bottle is snapped on top of that one and another
empty one snapped on top of that.
5 Line the columns of bottles in a row. Start with the bottom row of bottles
and begin inserting the wire. Repeat for the middle row of bottles, and do
the top row last. Keep the bottles in a line as you put the wire through. It's
easier to form it into a garbage can when the wire is in.
6 Bring the ends of wires together in each row and tie them together and
close with wire cutters. Fix the bottles so that they are standing as straight
up as possible. Put in your bag (or reusable fertilizer or chicken feed coastal)
and start throwing away your trash.
Things You'll Need
Plastic bottles with tops (600 ml or 20oz)...(54 bottles for a mid size trash
can)
Pliable wire (3 pieces that are each meter long)
Wire cutters
Candle and matches
Sharp knife or something to open holes in plastic