So you want to build a bird house but don’t have the cash?  No problem, just grab a credit card, some old wood and get building!

It recently occurred to me how many gift cards, in-store credits, and used credit cards were needlessly going in the trash.  Those cards are all made of plastic, they’ll never breakdown, they will be little plastic cards forever.  So, I started collecting unwanted and expired cards several months ago with the thought of someday doing something useful with them, other than smoothing caulk when I paint.

Since I am a nature lover and a bit of a builder I decided to try using the cards for siding on a recycled bird house.  I have to say I’m pretty happy with the first build!  I used scrap treated lumber, and an old license plate for the roof.  I’d like to see the entry hole a bit smaller, but that was the hole saw I had on hand.  The next one will have a 1″ diameter hole.  I was little surprised with the amount of time it took to side the house.  I knew it wouldn’t be quick, but when you’re siding is half a credit card I guess there is some time involved.

I will be building more of these in the near future.  As long as I can find scrap lumber, old plates, and unwanted plastic cards, birds in our neighborhood will have some pretty spiffy places to call home!

Keep saving the plastic – Erik R Davis