A Modern Noah’s Ark: Plastic Bottles instead of Wood

In biblical times, the concepts of recycling and eco-friendly structures were still many centuries away from human consciousness. The original Noah built his famous ark out of wood because the material was both indigenous and available.

In Hunan Province, China, a modern day Noah has made an ark of plastic soft drink bottles. He has embarked on a very special and eco-friendly journey of 1,000 miles that extends from the port of Xiangtan to Shanghai, a trip expected to take about 45 days.

arc1 A Modern Noah’s Ark: Plastic Bottles instead of Wood picture

This is not the first time Xia Yu, aged 37, has built an ark. Last year, he made one that was five meters long (about 20 feet) and constructed of 1,500 plastic bottles. He sailed successfully on a 35-mile voyage to Changsa and the trip made him confident that he could indeed construct plastic floating arks.

The new arc is seven meters long (about 27 feet) and utilizes seven sails, the largest of which is five meters high (17.5 feet) and has one chair for each of its six-man crew. Composed of 2,010 bottles and 50kg of steel wire, it will set sail to Shanghai for the Expo festival. The boat will be powered solely by the wind as a statement about promoting recycling and maintaining a low carbon footprint.

If you are wondering where he got all these bottles, Xia told the press that they all came from the tea house he manages where he gathers all the empty bottles left behind by customers.

“Every day customers would consume a lot of drinks in my shop, and leave the empty bottles behind. I thought it was such a waste and one day, I came up the idea of building a boat,” he told the press.

This incredible ark has a special message emblazoned on its main sail that reads: “Low carbon life, beautiful world.” It is expected to visit ten major cities on the way to its final destination in Shanghai. The Expo is comprised of more than 190 nations and will run from May to October. It is expected to draw 400,000 visitors every day.

Only one question remains for the amazing Mr. Yu.

Will he figure out a way to recreate the menagerie Noah’s Ark is so famous for out of plastic as well?

It’s certainly something to think about and he will have plenty of time to do so as he makes his way along the journey that begins like all others; that is, with a single step.