Eco bricks are a small way of saving our planet according to local activist.

Diana McChesney is a volunteer with a passion for developing and promoting the production of eco bricks, a concept which is relatively new to the Fermanagh population. An eco brick is a clear plastic bottle which you fill with the non-recyclable plastics that we all use in our everyday lives. Some popular everyday non-recyclable plastics include clean plastic food packets, sweet wrappers, biscuit packets, crisp packets and of course plastic bags. Diana took on this project, along with others, to collect all the plastic that she used and create bottles to make into something useful.

She said: “The idea of eco bricking is a relatively new concept to Fermanagh people however it is a method that has been going on in the UK and other parts of the world.”

“It is amazing what you can do with the eco bricks, from making chairs and tables and even in some countries they can be made to make small houses for people,” she said.

Diana initially began creating the eco bricks at home after she became angry with the state of local beaches and parks.

“I was going to beaches such as Mullaghmore beach and all I was seeing after a day of people visiting was so much litter. It is hard to understand why anyone would want to ruin a place of such natural beauty.”

The method of eco bricking is a method of recycling which she wishes to tell other people in Fermanagh and the surrounding areas about.

Diana has recently visited several schools in Fermanagh to get the message out there about the process of eco bricking. She made the visit to Lisbellaw Nursey and Primary School recently where her own daughter goes to school. Along with her young daughter she provided a demonstration to the class about what eco bricks are and how they are made.

“The kids were so engaged and excited about the idea of eco bricks. They were fully onboard with the idea which is so lovely to see.”

She has also visited Jones Memorial Primary School and hopes to continue her trail along to all the other Fermanagh schools.

“The kids are all for the idea, it is just a matter of getting the adults on board with the idea now.”

Diana said: “I am only one person trying to make a difference, that is why everyone should try and make a conscious effort to make a difference and to prevent rubbish such as plastics ruining our earth.” Why should we bother eco bricking? “We seem to think nowadays that everything is disposable when this isn’t the case.”

She believes if we start making a change now the world will be a “better place for our children.”

“Eco-building means that we can make a small change in saving our planet and the animals within it with small steps,” said Diana.

If you would like to get involved with Eco-bricking Diana assures people to not be afraid to get involved. Visit www.ecobricks.org for more information.