Garbage Warrior

According to accepted wisdom, the greenest thing we can do with our old drinks cans is put them in the recycling bin. Not so, says Mike Reynolds, eco warrior and star of Oliver Hodge’s debut documentary, Garbage Warrior, which opens at London’s ICA this Friday. We should be making houses out of them.

Since graduating from Architecture School in 1968, Mike Reynolds has been chasing one ideal. His aim – to make a blueprint for eco friendly homes, built cheaply from readily available materials, which can exist ‘off grid’ – producing their own electricity, collecting their own water, and even allowing residents to grow their own food. This is a mammoth, but vital task. In the UK for example, around half our carbon dioxide emissions are a result of domestic uses.

Exterior hut House, Taos, New Mexico

And what material’s most readily available in the West? Rubbish, of course. Some of Mike’s houses are built from tyres filled with earth, while others from cans or bottles encased in mud walls. As well as being cheap and green, these building techniques have added advantages. They are extremely thermally efficient, keeping his structures warm in winter and cool in summer, and often weirdly beautiful.

Interior Pyramid House Canyone, Taos, New Mexico

His first forays into sustainable building were twenty-five years ago, in Taos, New Mexico. For a time, sympathetic local councillors allowed him to bypass planning regulations. As a result, a community of similar eco houses, or ‘earthships’ were built in the area. Regime change at the planning department sucked the wind from his sails. The houses would have to conform to the letter of the conservative local planning laws, or else they were coming down.

Earthships from the air, Taos, New Mexico

Clean shaven and wild grey hair tied back, Mike dons a suit and sets about challenging the decision in the offices of the powers that be. He proposes a test site, where the usual planning laws are laxed, in which he can perfect his building techniques and so bring them to the world. A pretty reasonable request, you might think, especially given the American authorities tested the nuclear bomb in New Mexico. But, politics being politics, vested interests seem to come before environmental protection every time.

Andaman Islands Tsunami Relief Project, India

Previously a model maker for films such as Tomb Raider and the Phantom Menace, this is Oliver Hodge’s first time as director. Garbage Warrior was a labour of love, funded from his own savings until a sponsor was found late into production. An environmentalist himself, Oliver had long wanted to make a film which discussed big issues like climate change, but needed a narrative through which to do so. Meeting Mike in May 2003 he realised he had his story.

Architect Michael Reynolds - Andaman Islands, India

Garbage Warrior is a fascinating insight into the world of a man with a vision, and his interactions with a frustratingly stagnant political system. Following this remarkable tale makes for compelling and necessary viewing.

Garbage Warrior is at the ICA, London, from 23 May to 12 June. Screenings nationally later in the year.