Plastic contamination is a terrible issue—the oceans are flooded with plastic waste, which causes it to enter our food chain. Meaning that we eat fish that have microplastics in their organisms. So plastic recycling seems like a good idea and true salvation not only to us, but our nature.
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Plastic bottles can be used for many DIY ideas, from making garden decorations and brooms to ottoman seats. Its resilient, flexible, transparent, and food-safe qualities allow us to creatively reuse them for many purposes. So many, that we’ve decided to create a whole post dedicated to plastic bottle recycling and upcycling ideas.
If you don’t have an opportunity to separate your waste for recycling, don't throw the beverage bottles out, they might become a beautiful plastic bottle craft project while also helping our fragile ecosystem!
Vertical Garden
Image credits: Luciano Huck
Image credits: Luciano Huck
Chandelier
Image credits: SarahTurnerEcoDesign
Broom
Image credits: permacultureideas
Beautiful Mosaic From Caps Left By Hurricane Sandy
Image credits: Lisa Be
Spoon Lamp
Image credits: Yaroslav Olenev
How to Recycle Plastic at Home
While the uses for plastic bottles range from simple to complex, it’s important to prioritize safety, particularly when dealing with dirty bottles.
- Clean it up. If you find a plastic bottle outside, wash it thoroughly with water and soap. You never know what might have been in it before.
- Check for damage. Plastic can crack and tear, making it less safe to use. If you’re repurposing recycled bottles for projects like chandeliers, ensure they’re in good condition and not falling apart.
- Avoid burning. Never burn plastic! Heating it releases harmful chemicals into the air. Excessive heat or sunlight can also damage the bottles and pose health risks.
Hey, it’s not just about recycling plastic bottles! Consider recycling additional items like food containers, packaging materials, and plastic bags if your local facility accepts them. It’s important to broaden our efforts for a more comprehensive approach to recycling.
Jewelry Stand
Image credits: EBLOT
Cherry Blossom Paint Stamp
Image credits: alphamom.com
Parking Canopy
Image credits: Garth Britzman
Bouquet Lamp
Image credits: weeblyinfo
Christmas Tree
Image credits: stranamasterov.ru
How Are Plastic Water Bottles Useful?
Plastic bottles play a significant role worldwide. Rather than being mere decorations, plastic has become an integral part of our infrastructure. Here are some interesting uses for plastic bottles:
- In India, plastic waste is crushed to create robust pallets for road construction. These roads boast about 60% more strength compared to conventional ones.
- Over in Panama, people use recycled bottles as building blocks for homes, providing sturdy shelters during significant storms.
New waste recycling ideas emerge annually, contributing to making plastic less of an environmental issue. Instead of causing problems in our streets and waterways and harming animals, consider our innovative uses for plastic bottles to give plastic a new purpose!
Cute Planters
Image credits: Homework Folder
Image credits: Maceta Gatuna
Intricate Bottle Vase
Image credits: wikihow.com
Durable Purse
Image credits: Zitta Schnitt
Sci-Fi Rocket Jet Pack
Image credits: doodlecraftblog.com
Hanging Chandelier
Image credits: Michelle Brand
Lake Boat
Image credits: gokiraworld
Pencil/Marker Organizers
Image credits: The Learning Craft
Solar Light Bulb
Image credits: Illac Diaz | worldarchitecturenews.co
Ottoman Seat
Image credits: Ak design solution
Curtain
Image credits: Michelle Brand
Bottle Cap Decoration
Image credits: Ilya Naymushinvia
Bird Feeder
Source: We Don't Deserve This Planet
Napkin Ring
Image credits: Regiane Ferraz