Amazing uses of old plastic bottles
So it is vital for you to ensure that when you are done with that plastic bottle not to throw it away, use it to make something awesome it might just save you some money that can be used to buy other home items. You do not need much expertise to make some of the items from plastic bottles, it only takes an innovative mind to achieve great results.
Check out these 13 low cost, creative and functional craft projects that will transform the humble plastic bottle into everything from useful storage to great home decor.
Zipper Cases
You can turn your old plastic bottles into useful and sturdy no-sew zipper cases that will help you organize your life especially that of your school going children. You can use them to store all sorts of school, art and craft supplies. This is also an awesome back-to-school craft idea for kids.
Soda Bottle Sprinkler
Sometimes a sprinkler can break down at a time when you do not have mean to get a replacement. Do not despair, you can keep your outdoor plants and lawn happy by using a soda bottle to water them, all you need to do is poke small holes in a plastic soft drink bottle, insert the hose into the bottle and wrap some tape to fix the hose to the opening of the bottle. Turn on the tap and the homemade sprinkler is ready to go.
Bird Feeders
Birds love to be fed, you will be doing them a great favor by providing them food using old plastic bottles from your homestead. If you live in an area that has many birds, a strategically placed recycled bird feeder will provide you with an opportunity to view these pretty feathered creatures at close range as they get to feed from your bird feeders made out of old plastic bottles and other cheaper materials like wooden spoons.
Piggy Bank
Learn a good habit when you are young and you will not grow out of it. Saving a little something from plenty is one such habit that should be part of any person. It might not be much but it can be interesting getting to check on how much you would have saved over a given period of time. A piggy bank is one such item you can use to achieve your goal. A cheaper piggy bank is even more ideal, get an old bottle and turn it into a piggy bank. You will soon be on your way to saving for acquiring an important item in the future especially kids would love to buy a present for their friend’s birthday.
Not only does this simple project recycle a plastic bottle and make an adorable piggy bank, it also encourages kids to starting saving and recycling from a young age. Just cut the bottle appropriately and then have fun creating these super cute designs that will look great on your shelves too.
Kitchen Storage Containers
Homes are always ensuring that they have food readily available whenever it is needed. It is inconveniencing to be rushing to s supermarket whenever you want to prepare food. Old plastic bottles can make excellent storage containers. Food will be bought in bigger quantities and kept in these adorable storage containers. Making repurposed containers out of your old bottles is fun and super easy, plus you could save yourself some money by crafting something you need instead of having to go out and buy rather expensive containers.
DIY Drip Irrigator
Drip irrigation is a very convenient way of watering plants requiring not much effort. It delivers moisture directly to plant roots without over saturating the soil, which helps the plants root deeper and grow healthier since they don’t experience moisture stress. Drip irrigation is also ideal in times when there isn’t much rainfall as you will require less water to irrigate a given potion of the garden as compared to watering the conventional way. All you have to do is to get some 2 litre plastic bottles, punch two holes into the caps, and hang or plant the bottles next to the plants. Fill them with water and let the plants get the slow watering they prefer.
Vertical Hanging Garden
Vertical gardens are becoming popular especially in urban set up where gardening spaces is limited. They are a great solution to many challenges within apart from spaces, water bills can also be a limiting factor. Recycling plastic bottles is a great way to make a garden for yourself. A good number of bottles can be strung together and hung against a wall, a fence or a railing to create a garden. Remember to choose plastic bottles that are stronger in order to withstand the soil from the hanging position for longer periods until the vegetables are ready.
Zero Electricity Cooler
Grey Dhaka has come out as a pioneer together with volunteers from Grameen Intel Social Business in Bangladesh to create the Eco-Cooler – the world’s first-ever zero electricity air cooler, this piece of innovation utilizes a perforated board and empty plastic bottles to create an instant and highly effective air conditioning system.
To make an Eco-Cooler, cut a piece of board to the size of a window on your house. Then drill holes in the board big enough to push a plastic neck through. Get a good number some old plastic bottles and cut the bottoms off, then slide the neck of each bottle through the holes and secure them with the cap till the board is full. Hang the board on the window and watch the temperature inside drop.
Greenhouse
Here’s a great practical project for the any member of the family to participate. You can turn used plastic bottles into a greenhouse, and you do not have to worry about the supply of these bottles as they are readily available in many places. You can then enjoy the chance to grow your own food using an economically acquired green house. A great way to turn trash into something really useful, this project is time consuming and takes a bit of effort, but you get an eco-friendly structure at a fraction of the economic or energy costs of a traditional glasshouse.
Jewelry Stand
This is another beautiful project which is easy to make, a jewelry stand from plastic bottles. It looks great and can hold and hang tons of small jewelry for that organized and smart display in your room. It doesn’t even take long to make as it only involves the cutting of the bottoms of plastic bottles, fix a metallic rod through them and see your craft turn into a beautiful jewelry organizer.
Snack Bowls
You can make use of leftover plastic bottles into unbreakable snack or candy bowls for a party. It saves you time by just cutting the bottom of the plastic bottle, use a hot iron to flatten and smooth out the cuts, and boom, a pretty bowl is ready for use.
Flower pot
You can beautify your surrounding by making flower pots using of old plastic bottles. Just get a five litre old bottle, cut the top part, and make some holes at the bottom of the container for water to be draining out. Fill the cut container with good soil and then Plant some flowers. You can place your flower pots around the surroundings of your house or in the garden.
Garage Stand
There are quite a lot of small items that you work with in the garage, if not well stored, you may find it difficult to locate them when needed. Get some old plastic bottles and make awesome storage containers for small items. Your garage will be organised and neat.
The above and many others are simple ways you can make use of old plastic bottles.
All you need is to have a creative mind that sees beyond ordinary trash. I hope you enjoy playing around with used plastic bottles.