A sustainable lifestyle begins right at home, and one impactful way to contribute to a green environment is by recycling plastic waste. With some creativity, you can easily reuse your household plastic waste into something resourceful. Today let us learn how to reuse plastic at home, including bottles, bags, and other items.
Reuse of Plastic at Home
Plastic can be repurposed to make various items, which also helps to reduce the accumulation of landfill waste
1. Solar Lights
It is one of the best sustainable ways to recycle plastic bottles into solar lights. Install solar cells on the bottle to capture sunlight. Place a rod of LED lights directly into the bottle, allowing it to charge throughout the day. Install it on the roof or directly under sunlight by the end of the day to enjoy the most effective way of lighting.
2. Bird Feeder
You can reuse plastic bottles by transforming them into a charming DIY bird feeder. Begin by cleaning and removing labels from the bottle. Cut out openings for birds, and add perches below each opening for birds to comfortably sit while feeding. Hang the bottle securely in your garden, fill it with bird seeds, and wait and watch.
3. Vertical Gardens
Stack all the plastic bottles and make them into a vertical garden. Cut openings in the bottles for plants to breathe, ensuring proper drainage, and attach the bottles to a vertical structure, to ensure enough space. Your garden is ready for more greenery.
4. Self-Watering Planter
Self-watering planter is the easiest solution and acts as a built-in reservoir for gardening. Cut the bottle in half, invert the top, pierce a hole, and place it inside the bottom. Fill the inverted top with soil and plant, creating a water body for efficient self-watering.
5. Bottle Cap Mosaic
Create vibrantly art with a plastic bottle cap mosaic. Collect colorful bottle caps and arrange them into imaginative patterns or scenes on a canvas or board. Glue the caps let them dry, and enjoy beautiful scenery while repurposing plastic waste.
6. Cooler
It’s a fun and economical option to try. Utilize a large, sturdy sheet as the main body. Cut the plastic bottle into 3/4 and pierce the opening side of the bottle in the study sheet. Ensure the room is closed and put it in the window which is opened.
7. Lake Boat
To make a plastic lake boat, follow these steps:
- Gather recycled plastic bottles.
- Build a frame using sturdy materials and attach the plastic pieces securely.
- Customize your boat with paddles or a small electric motor. It can be used as a lifetime hack in emergencies too.
But you have to try in less depth water bodies before putting them in use.
8. DIY Ottoman
Ever thought of using plastic bottles to make a seating facility? Collect plastic bottles, and stack them using a strong adhesive. Create a sturdy base by attaching a wooden or plastic board. Cover with recycled fabric or an old rug, securing it with glue or stitching. Your DIY ottoman is ready!
9. DIY Zipper Case
You can make a simple now sewing zipper case for organizing small things and cut along the sides to create a flat sheet. Attach a zipper along the cut edges using strong adhesive. Decorate or paint as desired.
10. DIY Piggy Bank
From the plastic waste find an oval-shaped bottle, and cut a coin slot on one side. Paint or decorate the bottle to resemble a pig. You can add ears and a snout using additional plastic scraps. It is a win-win for your wallet and the planet!
11. Plastic Wind Spiral
Craft a beautiful plastic wind spiral by cutting plastic bottles into strips. Paint or decorate the strips to look colorful. Attach the strips to a central pin at a length, creating a spiral effect.
12. Jewellery Storage
Turn plastic bottles into stylish jewelry storage, cut plastic bottles horizontally, leaving the bottom section. Attach the cut section to a surface, creating compartments for different types of storage.
13. Sprinkler
One of the easiest ways to reuse plastic bottles for efficient watering is by creating sprinklers.
- Using a drill or a hot nail(be careful), poke a few holes in the bottle bottom.
- Secure the bottle onto a garden hose tightly.
- Turn on the water, and you have an instant DIY sprinkler for your garden.
Also See: Glass Recycling Process Explained: How is Glass Recycled?
14. Egg Yolk Separator
Have you ever tried a bottle as an egg yolk separator, if not try this.
- Clean and dry a plastic bottle.
- Squeeze the bottle and gently place the bottle opening over the yolk.
- Release the squeeze to let the bottle suck up the yolk.
- Squeeze to release the yolk into another container. Try this it is mess-free.
15. Bowls
You can reuse plastic bottles at home by turning them into bowls that can be used as key holders, and organizers. Cut off the top portion, leaving the desired depth for the bowl. Smooth the cut edges using sandpaper. Customize the exterior with paint to add a personal touch.
16. Jetpack
In any space-themed party or kids costume contest, this jet pack will have its special place.
- You can connect the bottles using strong adhesive or duct tape to form a cylinder.
- Attach two bottles horizontally on each side to resemble wings.
- Secure adjustable straps for wearing.
- Decorate with Silver paints to resemble an astronaut uniform.
17. Birdhouses
Collect plastic containers like milk jugs or soda bottles. Cut an entrance hole, leaving a flat surface for birds to enter. Hang the birdhouses in your garden, and wait for a little chirping melody.
18. Bottle Top Bag Seal
Create a simple and effective bottle top bag seal by cutting the top portion of a plastic bottle, ensuring the cap is intact. Fold the open end of a plastic bag and insert it through the bottle cap. Screw the cap back onto the bottle, securing the bag in place. Pull the bag tight to create a seal, preventing air exposure.
Also, check out How to Recycle Plastic Properly at Home: 10 Creative Ways
19. Flower Charms
Paint the bottle caps in vibrant colors to resemble flower petals, and cut small pieces of green plastic for leaves. Now, attach a small loop on top using wire for hanging.
20. Party Lighting Decor
We can transform plastic cups into enchanting party lights. Take translucent colorful plastic cups, punch holes in the center, thread small bulb string lights through the holes in the cups, and place them evenly in a beautiful garden.
21. Napkin Holder
Craft a plastic napkin holder from reusing bottles by cutting the plastic bottle horizontally to create a cylindrical container. Ensure the bottles are of the desired size for napkin storage. Use sandpaper to rough edges, and leave the top open to access napkins.
22. Flower Vase
A delightful flower vase made using recycled plastic bottles, by cutting bottles to desired heights, smoothing the edges and color, and decorating it. Arrange fresh flowers in the vases for a charming display.
23. Smiley Face Stamp
Clean and dry the cap, then use the eraser end of a pencil to create a circular stamp. Add a cheerful face inside the circle. Dip in paint or a stamp pad to create happy imprints on paper or surfaces. Not just smiley, you can create any fun figure in this way.
24. Terrarium
Creating a mini ecosystem through reusing plastic is a joy. Fill a plastic container with layers of small stones, activated charcoal, and potting soil. Add miniature plants and seal with the lid. It turns into a tiny indoor garden.
25. Flower Curtains
Create your living space with a touch of sustainability and floral beauty. Collect plastic bottles and cut them into flower shapes. String the flowers together to form a colorful curtain. Hang the curtain near windows or as a room divider.
26. Pencil Pots
Clean and cut plastic bottles to the optimal pencil height. Decorate with paint or colorful tape for a personalized look. Use these upcycled pots to organize pencils and pens on the desk
27. DIY Chandelier
Crafting a stunning chandelier from plastic is possible now. Collect and clean plastic bottles, then cut them into elegant shapes like diamonds, or cylinders. Assemble the pieces into a design, attaching them to a frame. Add LED lights for a radiant glow.
28. Yarn Holders
To make a practical yarn holder cut it horizontally, leaving the bottom section. Place your yarn skein inside, thread the end through the bottle’s neck, and pull as needed. This prevents the entangling yarn from being hassle-free.
29. Bottle Cap Magnets
Decorate the caps with colorful designs, images, or even tiny artworks. Secure small magnets to the back of each cap using strong adhesive. Use it on the fridge or any wardrobe.
30. Plastic Bottle Bookmark
Cut clean bottles into bookmark-sized strips. Decorate with paint, markers, or decorative tape to suit your style
31. DIY Soap Dispenser
Take a clean bottle, attach a pump mechanism from an old dispenser, or purchase a new one. Fill the bottle with your favorite fragrance soap.
32. Rain Chain
You can transform plastic bottles into a whimsical rain chain for a garden. Cut bottles into funnels or cups in equal sizes and string them together vertically, allowing rainwater to cascade from one to the next, creating a mesmerizing display
33. Grow Indoor Plant
We can use plastic to grow indoor plants by placing some cocopeat and sand and planting it, placing it in corners and water regularly.
Also See: How is Plastic Recycled: Complete Plastics Recycling Process
Creative Ways to Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags
There are several ways you can recycle and reuse plastic bags:
1. Handbag
For a beautiful handbag, collect a plethora of bags, and fold and weave them together, creating a sturdy bag by gluing them together. You can also make a wallet from the sheets, taking measurements, sewing, and using tapes as required.
2. Rug
For upcycling plastic grocery bags into a stylish and durable rug, cut the bags into strips, creating plastic yarn. Crochet or weave them into a rug. It can be used in gardens and picnics.
Also, take a look at How to Recycle Rice Pellets to Make Waterproof Wood
3. Jump Rope
Promote upcycling of plastic bags into a fitness accessory. Collect and clean bags, then cut them into long strips to create plastic yarn. Braid or twist the yarn into a sturdy rope, securing the ends.
4. Coasters
Shred bags into strips with many vibrant colors, and braid them into squares or circular shapes for visually appealing coasters.
5. Coin Purse
For making little coin purses, flatten thick plastic bags using a low-heating iron and cut and fold the plastic fabric to create wallet sections. Stitch or glue edges to purse-ready.
6. Plastic Tote Bag
By collecting plastic bags from the sea, we can reduce plastic waste, thereby repurposing it to make different household items. To create a tote bag, shred plastic into stripes, braid them, and tie a knot to make handles.
7. Wreath
Wreath door decors are changed for every festive season like Christmas and Thanksgiving. To make one collect colorful plastic bags, cut stripes, tie strips onto a wire wreath frame, use layering colors, trim excess, and fluff the strips. Add beautiful embellishments as per your choice.
8. Pom Pom Ball
A string of pompom balls can be used as a banner for any party. To make it, cut bags into strips, fold them, and secure them with a string in the center. Trim the ends, fluff out the layers, and shape into a pom-pom.
9. Shoe Stuffers
Often shoes lose their shape when not stored properly, we can use old plastic bags to stuff inside the shoe to retain their shape and look.
10. Fruit Protectors
Once the fruits bloom, put plastic bags over them to protect them from pests and adverse weather conditions. We often see this visual when we come across apple and mango farms.
11. Soak Shower Head
Often while cleaning a shower we face difficulty cleaning its blockage. We can try this hack, put vinegar and soda in a plastic cover, wrap it around the shower with a string, and leave it for 10-15 min. Remove the bag and you see a the scaling is gone.
12. Multiple Organizer
Collect different sizes of plastic bags, stack them size-wise, and store little things to bog things depending on size. It will be the best organizing hack when put to use.
Must Read: 100 Fun and Interesting Recycling Facts
13. DIY Envelopes
To make a waterproof envelope, cover flatten, and cut bags into rectangular shapes. Fold and secure the edges with tape or glue.
14. DIY Bag Basket
To transform recycled plastic bags into a DIY fruit basket, weave them into a basket pattern with plastic strips, tie them with knots, and shape them into the basket.
15. DIY Gift Bows
Decorate gifts with plastic bows and to make them, collect colorful plastic bags, and cut bags into strips of equal width. Loop and tie the strips into bows, and trim the ends for a neat finish.
If plastic bags are abundant and you want to put them to good use, you can donate them in supermarkets or schools where they put them in good use.
We hope you enjoyed our exploration of reusing plastic bottles and bags at home. Every small effort counts and these practical repurposing ideas are steps towards a sustainable future. For more such interesting content, keep reading our blog posts.
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