Adrian Padden, who undertook to grow fresh produce in a very small outdoor area, was among the nine worthy winners of this year’s national Upcycle Challenge 2020.
The upcycle challenge was set by mywaste.ie and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ). It invited participants to use their imagination to create something new and useful out of old unwanted and discarded items or material.
As many as 259 entries were received from individuals, community organisations, Men’s Sheds, and schools across the country. A total of eight category winners were decided by a judging panel, which also chose three finalists for a People’s Choice Award.
During November, the public voted for the three finalists on mywaste.ie social media platforms. The Irish public decided the winner to be Ann Mc Kenna from County Monaghan who upcycles the clothes of people who died, to make memorial bears for their loved ones.
Mayo man Adrian Padden undertook to grow fresh produce in a very small outdoor area. He achieved this by making a unique piece using plastic bottles and a pallet that allows plants and shrubs to grow in a vertical planting area. Adrian said: "I undertook this project after a conversation with a friend who said they couldn't grow any fresh produce in their home as they only had a very small outdoor area. After stewing on this, I felt a challenge was set."
