6 Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles
by Amanda Wills
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to fifth grade science class. Besides getting a
wicked kick of caffeine from that 2-liter bottle of Surge, those bottles also made
grade A project materials as seedling planters and tornado hourglasses.
But now that we’re all adults here, craft projects may not be as cool anymore (if
this is the case, finish reading this article first and then find a new group of
friends).
1. Woven plastic bottle vase
A project for less than $5: All you need to make this fancy-looking vase is a soda
bottle and pair of scissors. Photo: Wikihow
From a distance, you would never guess this vase was plastic. Plus, it’s virtually
unbreakable, and you can recycle it if you decide to redecorate.
Difficulty level: Beginner
What you’ll need: 20-ounce soda bottle, scissors, pencil (for marking)
How to make it:
1. Mark and cut the smooth middle portion of the bottle to give an even edge that’s
approximately 7.5 to 8 centimeters above desired position of fluted rim.
2. Measure and mark straight, evenly spaced cuts all the way around the bottle.
Cut the segments in half; then cut each of those in half to make even, thin strips.
3. Carefully press and fold all the strips outward to make a level edge all the way
around. Press the bottle upside down on a flat surface to ensure an even edge.
4. Weave the tip of a strip over the next one and under the next two. Fold and
crease it so that the tip is at the place (see photos from original post for a visual
representation. We promise it isn’t as hard as it sounds).
5. Fold and crease the next one the same way, but weave this one over two and
under one. Fold the third strip and weave the same as the first one. Continue
around in this pattern until the last three and tuck each one under the next until
woven in completely.
Bonus tip: Add a touch of color by using green soda bottles.
2. The plastic bottle lamp
This project comes from a Popular Science project that dates back to 1961. Photo:
Joel Barnard, Popular Science
Why did we use “the”? Because we have seen a lot of ways to make lamps out of
plastic bottles, but this is by far the most believable (and by that we mean it
doesn’t look like an Evian bottle with a light bulb shoved into the top).
In fact, on first glance, we didn’t think this design by Popular Science was even
made from plastic bottles. Using the “smart-looking shapes” of detergent bottles as
inspiration, this classic design dates back to 1961.
Difficulty level: Advanced
What you’ll need: plastic bottle, X-acto blade knife, drill, Vaseline, hollow
threaded rod, hot glue gun, prescription medicine bottle, Smooth-On 305, fine-grit
sandpaper, flat washer, lock washer, nut, lamp cord, lamp shade, lamp socket
How to make it: Popular Science outlined this project in its 12-step photo guide.
The entire thing will run you around 50 bucks.
Bonus tip: The ideal bottle for this project still keeps its shape after all the liquid
has been removed. So, don’t choose one that’s too thin and flimsy.
Look for bottles with minimal surface detail. Before starting the project, peel off
the label and you’ll find many bottles have been designed with texture, but
according to the author, this won’t help with your design.
3. Plastic bottle beads
For this project, we’re literally giving you the materials to make some even more
rad – from jewelry creations to beaded door coverings.
The original instructions for this design came from our friends at ThreadBanger (a
DIY junkie heaven), but we found some other cool tips and photos on Zakka Life.
The plastic bead project is just the beginning of other rad designs. Think outside
the bottle! Photo: Zakka Life
Difficulty level: Moderate
What you’ll need: plastic bottle, permanent marker, heat gun, pliers
How to make it:
1. Wash and cut plastic bottles into strips that are about 1 centimeter wide. Cut
strips into a point.
2. Color plastic strips with permanent marker. (One designer also added a drip of
golden paint.)
3. Roll up plastic and secure with pliers. Use heat gun to melt and hold bead shape
together. Let dry.
Bonus tip: If you don’t have a heat gun, a hair dryer will work as well. If you
don’t have a steady hand to draw shapes on your beads with your markers, try
gluing washi paper to the plastic.
Be sure to only cover part of the plastic before rolling it up so that only the design
will be exposed.
4. Soda bottle coin purse
If you haven’t noticed, zippers are in this season. From skinny dresses to bulky
necklaces, exposed zippers are fashion statements.
Some variations of this project include cutting a bottle lengthwise to create a
clutch purse. Photo: Green Upgrader
But you don’t have to spend $30 on a stylish coin purse from that trendy boutique.
Just make your own. The best part about this design from Green Upgrader is that
you can choose your own style to match your wardrobe.
Difficulty level: Moderate
What you’ll need: two 20-ounce plastic bottle, zipper, Nylon thread, knife, thin
needle, hole-punch, tape
How to make it:
1. Cut off the bottoms of plastic bottles at approximately 2.5 centimeters. Cut out
the auxiliary construction and, using tape, stick it to the edge of the cut-out
bottom.
2. Use a hole-punch to pierce the bottom where the auxiliary construction marks
the stitching holes with dots. Remove auxiliary construction.
3. Pass the Nylon thread through the eye of thin needle and sew zipper around the
first bottom and back. Repeat with second bottom.
Bonus tip: Download the PDF version of this project to get a step-by-step photo
explanation.
Perhaps not the traditional lava lamp you remember, but it's cheap, fun project for
the little ones. Photo: Leslie Quigley, Eco Childs Play
5. DIY lava lamp
Now you don’t have to take a trip to that creepy Spencer’s store in the mall to go
back to your teenage years.
OK, we’ll admit that this design from Simple Earth Media doesn’t have the zing
that your old $40 lamp had, but it’s no doubt a fun rainy day project for the kids.
Difficulty level: Beginner
What you’ll need: plastic water bottle, vegetable oil, funnel, water, food coloring,
masking tape or glue
How to make it:
1. Peel of the label and wash your bottle. Fill 3/4 of the bottle with oil.
2. Fill a measuring cup with an equal amount of water and add a couple of drops
of food coloring.
3. Pour colored water into bottle of oil. Secure cap with glue or masking tape, and
have a great time.
Bonus tip: Make sure your kids appreciate the oil-doesn’t-mix-with-water
analogy before splurging on that real lava lamp.
6. Geometric lamp shade
OK, so we have told you how to do this before. But these lamp shades are so hot,
we couldn’t pass them up again. And what would this article be without Sarah
Turner’s design? An incomplete one.
When we saw Sarah Turner’s trendy lamp made from plastic drink bottles, we had
to learn how to make it – without an electrician and a ton of money. Photo:
Sarahturner.co.uk
So, we did a little digging and found Instructable’s universal lamp shade polygon
building kit. Score!
Difficulty level: Advanced
What you’ll need: Tracing design (get it here), PET bottles (number of bottles
depends on size of your lamp), a raw socket on a cord (try Ikea), CFL bulb (it
won’t melt the plastic)
How to make it:
1. Trace your pieces and cut them using scissors or a knife. If you’re really
advanced, you can also make a “cookie cutter” out of sheet metal in the shape of
the part. Then heat the cutter and use it to stamp out the parts. (Let us know how
that works out.)
2. The assembly will be the hardest part. Instructables recommends just fitting the
parts together first and experimenting to get the right geometric shape. Be sure that
the corners of each cutout fit neatly together. Note that there really isn’t a way to
make concave corners, only convex corners.
3. Cut slots into the corners of the pieces so they can neatly fit together. Warning:
This can get really frustrating, so don’t give up!
Bonus tip: You will need sheets of paper or plastic that allow light to get through.
The stiffness of your material determines how large your pieces can be – stiffer
material for larger pieces and larger lamps, thinner material for smaller pieces and
smaller lamps.
Amanda Wills
Amanda Wills is the East Coast Editor of Earth911.com