Plastic Bottle Terrariums for Beach Erosion Prevention: Growing Plants to Protect Biscayne Bay

Project Summary

Middle school students in Florida repurposed discarded plastic water bottles to create self-sustaining terrariums for growing plants intended to combat beach and storm erosion in Biscayne Bay, combining waste reduction with coastal conservation efforts.

Detailed Story

One hundred twenty students at Pines Middle School in Florida tackled two environmental challenges simultaneously through an innovative project that transformed plastic waste into tools for coastal protection. Using the Agriculture and Climate Change curriculum, students collected discarded plastic water bottles that would otherwise contribute to landfill waste or ocean pollution. They converted these bottles into self-contained terrarium systems designed to grow plants specifically selected for their ability to prevent beach erosion. The project’s ultimate goal was to repot these established plants and transplant them to regions around Biscayne Bay experiencing severe beach and storm erosion damage. Students applied their understanding of the water cycle to create and maintain these closed-system terrariums, learning how proper ecosystem design can create self-sustaining environments that require minimal external inputs. The terrariums served as both growing systems and educational tools, demonstrating how natural processes can be harnessed for environmental restoration while simultaneously addressing the plastic waste crisis affecting marine ecosystems.

Impact Statement

Students successfully diverted plastic bottles from waste streams while creating growing systems for erosion-control plants destined for restoration work in Biscayne Bay. The project demonstrates practical application of waste reduction principles combined with ecosystem restoration, providing students with hands-on experience in both environmental problem-solving and scientific observation through terrarium maintenance.