Recycling empty, plastic water bottles is a no-brainer – simply throw them, without lids, into a recycling bin. Reducing plastic bottle waste in the first place takes a little more effort, but it’s still pretty simple. So, what about the third “R” in the equation?
Statistics tell us that only 20 percent of plastic water bottles are actually recycled. That means that 80 percent of bottled water ends up in landfills along with the tons of other trash that takes decades to decompose. As much as we may try to reduce consumption, it is likely that people will continue to drink bottled water anyway. Those who don’t will drink soda, juice, or other beverages served in plastic containers.
As long as people continue to consume drinks served in single-use plastic bottles, we must come up with creative ways to reuse these containers so they don’t just end up in our already-clogged landfills. It won’t be long before we run out of room to dump our trash. Moreover, reusing plastic bottles in practical ways will help the average consumer save money. Below are some of the many ways to reuse plastic bottles, ranging from the everyday to the truly bizarre.
Table of Contents
- Practical Everyday Items
- Everyday Household Decor
- Holiday Decor
- Arts and Crafts
- Kids Toys and Games
- Bottle Animals
- Science Projects and Displays
- Apparel
- Most Bizarre Eco-Friendly Reuses
Practical Everyday Items
Juicer
Plastic Bottle Funnel
Office and Workshop Storage
Paperweight
Workout Weights
iPod Holder
Coin Purse
Bug Catcher
Toilet Water Conservation
Automatic Plant Watering Device
Lawn Sprinkler
Herb Garden
Pool Raft
Fig. 1: Lawn Sprinkler Made from Plastic Water Bottle
Everyday Household Decor
Boat in a Bottle
Lighthouse in a Bottle
Bottle Vase
Sand Bottle
Plastic Goblet
Decorative Victorian Bottle
Plastic Bottle Dome Display
Homemade Lava Lamp
Plastic Flowers
Plastic Bottle Candleholders
Newspaper / Magazine Rack
Plastic Bottle Curtains
Plastic Bottle Table
Plastic Bottle Chandelier
Retro Batik Windsock
Recycled Bottle Fish Mobile
Fig. 2: Magazine Rack Made from Plastic Bottles
Holiday Decor
Plastic Bottle Easter Basket
Halloween Bottle Ghosts
Bottle Jack-o-Lantern
Thanksgiving Bottle Pilgrim
Indoor Snowman
Christmas Bottle Reindeer
Christmas Angel
Christmas Stars
Fig. 3: Christmas Angel Made with Plastic Bottle
Arts and Crafts
Plastic Bottle Beads
Knitting Loom
Weaving Loom
Yarn Holder
Fig. 4: Plastic Bottle Doubles as Weaving Loom
Kids Toys and Games
Dolls
Homemade Horseshoe Game
Bowling Pins
Jump Rope Handles
Kids String Telephone
Musical Instruments
Instant Bubble Blower
Paddle Steamer
Bird Feeder
Toy Car
Bottle Piggy Bank
Fig. 5: Piggy Bank Made From Plastic Bottle
Bottle Animals
Crafty Crocodile
Friendly Lion
Spotted Giraffe
Plastic Bottle Zebra
Plastic Bottle Penguin
Plastic Bottle Elephant
Plastic Bottle Butterflies
Plastic Bottle Fireflies
Plastic Bottle Vampire Bat
Plastic Bottle Trained Octopus
Fig. 6: Plastic Bottle Zebra
Science Projects and Displays
Plastic Bottle Terrarium
Ocean in a Plastic Bottle
Plastic Bottle Tornado
Rain Guage
Ant Farm
Fig. 7: Plastic Bottle Tornado
Apparel
Crocheted Bangles
Water Bottle Sandals
Plastic Bottle Fashion Vest
Plastic Doggy Armor
Fig. 8: Plastic Bottle Doggy Armor
Most Bizarre Eco-Friendly Reuses
Plastic Bottle Ship – “The Plastiki”
Bottle Wall / Heat Sink
Plastic Bottle Mexican Island Paradise
Plastic Bottle House
Window Farming
Plastic Bottle Bike
