For all the Bombay Sapphire drinkers out there, let me say a big thank you. You may not be aware of it but you are providing a valuable resource to those who recycle waste into useable goodies.

At TGBP we take waste, empty bottles and with a little water and imagination (and some really expensive machinery) – we produce affordable, everyday items such as buttons made from Bombay Sapphire bottles.

Here’s how:

-Empty bottles are washed thoroughly and all labelling removed (no machinery here just good old fashioned elbow grease). Once the bottles are clean they need to be cut with a diamond saw, (a saw blade tipped with industrial diamonds – no bling!). This should then yield four strips of glass to work with, two with the herb design and two plain.

-Using a template the buttons are then marked our and cut by hand using standard glass cutting tools.

-The buttons are then ground and shaped on a bevelling machine, again using diamond grinding pads. Once shaped and smooth they are finished and edged.

-The next stage drills two 3mm holes into the button using a diamond drill.

-The buttons are then washed and dried and placed in a kiln. Once cooled the button is now ready to go on sale at Friends of the Earth – ‘make do and mend’ section.

And don’t they look fab! www.greenglassmountain.com on the friends of the earth site see: shop Early February launch - www.foe.co.uk