How are 44-Gallon Shipping Drums turned into funky, Recycled Garden Ornaments like our Kool Kombi’s and Bruce the Bull Coolers?
Answer …
With great skill and patience.
Or, to you give you a better idea of what we’re talking about – how are these …
44-Gallon Shipping Drums ready to be transformed ...Turned into stunning Recycled Garden Ornaments like these …
Recycled Garden Ornaments being painted ...Every year, we make sure to pay a visit to a selection of our various different suppliers to satisfy ourselves that quality standards are being met and to build good working relationships with the people we buy from.
This year we introduced a quirky range of Recycled Garden Ornaments into our catalogue from an enterprising and environmentally sensitive company set up by an Australian Jewellery Maker called Aaron Jackson.
The vision behind this company was to produce unique and desirable products in a way that is environmentally sensitive and offers skills and regular income to local, village populations in Vietnam.
And the results of this vision have proved to be a runaway success – particularly with customers of The Garden Furniture Centre.
Earlier in the year we stocked a basic range of three or four recycled garden ornaments that doubled up as novelty drinks coolers and flower planters …
These were received with such enthusiasm, particularly on our Trade Stands throughout the year, that we jumped at the chance to get some more.
We now have 15 of these little beauties from The Kool Kombi – a scale model of a VW Camper Van that doubles up as a drinks cooler – to Buster, pictured below – a novelty bin who over-sized head opens up to accept the trash.
Buster The Bin - he loves the trashy side of life ...And, after our recent little trip, there’s even more on the way early next year – so watch this space – you won’t be disappointed.
However, the question still remains …
Just how are these bespoke, intricate designs made from such a chunky raw material?
Below are some pictures outlining the process that is followed from the cutting and pressing of the used shipping drums right through to the packaging and despatch process that sees the end product ready for market.
Recycled shipping drums are cut and flattened before being cleaned ...
They are then cut to various sizes in line with the design being made ...
The Recycled Garden Ornament is then shaped, welded and assembled ...
The Recycled Garden Ornament has the detail added and is painted ...
Export packaging is applied ...
And they're ready to rock and roll ...Sometimes they get a bit over eager and make a break for it - they can't wait to get to their new homes!
Making a break for it ...