We’ve all seen them, although less and less with the popularity of cell phones – the ubitquitous phone booth. Recently on a site visit, I was walking by an adjacent property and spied some great makeshift plastic planters. I’d been looking at prefab products to use for rooftop agriculture, so did a double-take on these.

:: overall composition – image by Jason King

It took a moment or two to realize that the cryptic lettering on the side was in fact a silouhette of a telephone, and that these planters were in fact casings from exterior phones.

:: closeup – image by Jason King

The following day, I noticed this remnant of the original style along MLK Jr. Boulevard here in Portland… they do still exist…

:: image via Jason King

I can’t actually remember the last time I saw one of these in action, as they’ve been replaced by either the more boxy variety, or removed altogether. Here’s the closest photo via the web that I found (and it was a tough to track even this image down).

:: image via Payphone Depot

Although the newer models seem to work as well – plus many of them have the phones already missing. The phone shaped ‘weepholes’ along the side would allow for some supplemental drainage perhaps?

:: image via College Publisher

So for quick and easy planters – and adaptive reuse of materials – it’s a good idea to keep your eyes open for sustainable possibilities. Another idea we were kicking around was the switch from the ubiquitous Portland yellow recycle bins to bigger multi-use bins, which will inevitably give us a surplus of these bad boys – which are ready for the garden or rooftop ag… with handles and drainage holes…

:: image via Oregonlive

And another example, predominately along NE Alberta, the form of trashcan liberation, where the old exposed aggregate clunker, mostly painted in bright colors, sometimes artfully broken as well – is transformed into a small urban garden… awwwww.

:: image via Jason King

And my favorite, from Hopworks Urban Brewery, one that celebrates one of Portland’s major industry… (actually these are imported Iron City beer kegs from Pittsburg) – cheers!

:: image via Oregonlive