20 Crafty Ways To Reuse Plastic Bottles
Though I’ve now lived in the Middle East for four years, I still don’t drink the water. As a result, I always have an enormous collection of plastic water bottles to recycle. Over time, these bottles have been turned into funnels, weights, bowling sets, pencil cups, drawer organizers, vases and even board game pieces. I’m always on the lookout for crafty ways to reuse my bottles.
Woven Plastic Bottle Vase – This is the project that gave me the idea for this list. I had to read the how-to’s before I believed this vase was really made from a plastic bottle.
PopSci Plastic Bottle Lamps - Complete instructions from PopSci.
Terrariums – Use a plastic bottle to make an almost instant terrarium. More ideas here and here.
Knitting Loom From Plastic Bottles - I was going to purchase a knitting loom, but when I saw this tutorial, I decided to make my own instead.
Plastic Bottle And Paper Vases - Cut a plastic bottle down to size and glue on fabric. This can also be used as a pencil cup.
Winter Star Garlands - At first glance, it’s hard to believe that this holiday project is made from plastic drink bottles.
Soda Bottle Dome Displays – The instructions call for a soda bottle, but I think a water bottle would look even nicer in this project.
Plastic Bottle Beads - I’ve come across loads of tutorials for plastic bottle beads, but this tutorial from Zakka Life is by far the nicest.
Fish From Plastic Bottles - Cut shapes from plastic and paint to resemble fish. Use the bottom of the bottle as a display stand.
Herb Gardens - Plastic bottles are the perfect size for individual herb gardens.
Plastic Bottle Weaving Looms - Don’t own a weaving loom? Use a plastic bottle instead.
Knit or Crochet Plastic Bottle Bangles – A ring is cut from a plastic bottle and then wrapped with a knit or crocheted cover.
Woven Boxes - Ribbons of plastic bottles strips are woven back and forth to create a square box.
DIY Shrinky Dinks - I was thrilled to find these tutorials, since it’s very hard to find plain Shrinky Dink plastic near where I live.
Fabric And Plastic Bottle Bracelets - Another bracelet. This one is covered with felt, but really, any fabric would work out great.
Plastic Bottle Coin Purses - Unfortunately, this project doesn’t come with instructions.
Plastic Bottle Change Holders - I wouldn’t use this change holder in the living room, but it’s fine for a workroom or garage.
Plastic Bottle Flowers - These flowers are a cinch to make. But, it’s amazing to see what was done with them when they were finished!
Monster Container - I tried to avoid included crafts for kids, but this little container is too adorable to miss.
Plastic Bottle Butterflies – Once these butterflies are completed there are dozens of things to do with them…use them to decorate gift packages, attach them to a wall in a child’s room to add interest, place them strategically throughout your garden, and lots more.
Read More : Recycled Crafts
Thanks for linking to the soda bottle coin purse. There are more instructions on this page (Soda bottle iPod holder: http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/04/soda-ipod-holder/) – basically use a craft hole punch to make holes, and then sew in the zipper using the holes, kind of like those old-school sewing cards from when we were kids.
Hope that helps! I look forward to checking all these links out! Thanks for the list!
Heather
You can also make Flowers: http://marys-creations.com/?roses_recycled
And Chandeliers: http://marys-creations.com/?chandeliers_recycled
Nice! Thanks for the link.
I followed your link over from the Eco Blog Carnival this week. Excellent craft and recycle ideas for reusing those plastic bottles. Best wishes and I enjoyed visiting your blog.
I followed your link from the Great Green finds Carnival. You share some inspiring ideas – thanks so much! and keep up the great work; reusing items that would otherwise end up in landfill is so important – we all need to view our rubbish as a resource a bit more often!
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