Lisa Frey (left) and Annette Noble (right) post with a new mural at Departure Bay Elementary Eco-School, made of collected bottle caps from the last eight years. (submitted photo)

By Alex Rawnsley

one cap at a time

‘A labour of love:’ new bottlecap mural driving home important message at Departure Bay elementary

Dec 18, 2022 | 6:57 AM

NANAIMO — A project nearly a decade in the making is finally finished.

A new mural made entirely of bottle caps is now hanging in the library of Departure Bay Elementary Eco-School in Nanaimo, the result of a labour of love for the school’s outgoing principal.

Annette Noble, who officially retired from her role on Friday, Dec. 16, took over lead of the project after her predecessor originally had the idea around eight years ago.

“It was right around I was starting to think about my plastic consumption, so I started saving any bottle caps I had at home and I’d give it to her.”

Comprised of dozens of blue, white and grey bottle caps making a picture of the school’s mascot, a dolphin, the mural at it stands is actually the second iteration.

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The first attempt from Noble fell apart when the glue didn’t hold on a first version which started being constructed in February.

Noble said the second version is much more sturdy.

‘It took about four or five months to put a tiny little screw into every single one of the bottle caps. It’s what we called a labour of love. It was finally finished after the summer.”

A formal unveiling took place early December, with the pieces dedicated to Frey.

“She was the one who really started the outdoor learning, recycling, waste management, energy conservation at the school,” Noble said.

It’s also hoped the piece will be a good reinforcement of the important environmental lessons which are front and centre at the school.

While some students helped Noble sort and design the final piece, many more will hopefully take heed of the meaning.

‘We do a lot of recycling at the school, but we really know recycling is only one part of it. The answer is to rethink and reduce our consumption of plastics. It’s a real good reminder when we think about our impact and the environment.”

Green, blue, grey and white bottle caps are arranged to form a dolphin, in honour of the school’s mascot. (submitted photo)

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