Plastic contamination is a terrible issue—the oceans are flooded with plastic waste, which causes it to enter our food chain. Meaning that we eat fish that have microplastics in their organisms. So plastic recycling seems like a good idea and true salvation not only to us, but our nature.

Plastic bottles can be used for many DIY ideas, from making garden decorations and brooms to ottoman seats. Its resilient, flexible, transparent, and food-safe qualities allow us to creatively reuse them for many purposes. So many, that we’ve decided to create a whole post dedicated to plastic bottle recycling and upcycling ideas.

If you don’t have an opportunity to separate your waste for recycling, don’t throw the beverage bottles out, they might become a beautiful plastic bottle craft project while also helping our fragile ecosystem!

Vertical Garden

Image credits: Luciano Huck

Image credits: Luciano Huck

Chandelier

Image credits: SarahTurnerEcoDesign

Broom

Image credits: permacultureideas

Beautiful Mosaic From Caps Left By Hurricane Sandy

Image credits: Lisa Be

Spoon Lamp

Image credits:  Yaroslav Olenev

How to Recycle Plastic at Home

While the uses for plastic bottles range from simple to complex, it’s important to prioritize safety, particularly when dealing with dirty bottles.

• Clean it up. If you find a plastic bottle outside, wash it thoroughly with water and soap. You never know what might have been in it before.
• Check for damage. Plastic can crack and tear, making it less safe to use. If you’re repurposing recycled bottles for projects like chandeliers, ensure they’re in good condition and not falling apart.
• Avoid burning. Never burn plastic! Heating it releases harmful chemicals into the air. Excessive heat or sunlight can also damage the bottles and pose health risks.

Hey, it’s not just about recycling plastic bottles! Consider recycling additional items like food containers, packaging materials, and plastic bags if your local facility accepts them. It’s important to broaden our efforts for a more comprehensive approach to recycling.

Jewelry Stand

Image credits: EBLOT

RELATED: 50 Zero-Waste Ideas Everybody Can Use

Cherry Blossom Paint Stamp

Image credits: alphamom.com

Parking Canopy

Image credits: Garth Britzman

Bouquet Lamp

Image credits: weeblyinfo

Christmas Tree

Image credits: stranamasterov.ru

How Are Plastic Water Bottles Useful?

Plastic bottles play a significant role worldwide. Rather than being mere decorations, plastic has become an integral part of our infrastructure. Here are some interesting uses for plastic bottles:

• In India, plastic waste is crushed to create robust pallets for road construction. These roads boast about 60% more strength compared to conventional ones.
• Over in Panama, people use recycled bottles as building blocks for homes, providing sturdy shelters during significant storms.

New waste recycling ideas emerge annually, contributing to making plastic less of an environmental issue. Instead of causing problems in our streets and waterways and harming animals, consider our innovative uses for plastic bottles to give plastic a new purpose!

Cute Planters

Image credits: Homework Folder

Image credits: Maceta Gatuna

Intricate Bottle Vase

Image credits: wikihow.com

Durable Purse

Image credits: Zitta Schnitt

Sci-Fi Rocket Jet Pack

Image credits: doodlecraftblog.com

Hanging Chandelier

Image credits: Michelle Brand

RELATED: 30 Repurposing Ideas To Spark Your Imagination And Reduce Waste

Lake Boat

Image credits: gokiraworld

Pencil/Marker Organizers

Image credits: The Learning Craft

Solar Light Bulb

Image credits: Illac Diaz | worldarchitecturenews.co

Ottoman Seat

Image credits: Ak design solution

Curtain

Image credits: Michelle Brand

RELATED: 50 Times People Showed How They Remade Things Instead Of Throwing Them Away, And The Internet Applauded Them

Bottle Cap Decoration

Image credits: Ilya Naymushinvia

Bird Feeder

Source: We Don’t Deserve This Planet

Napkin Ring

Image credits: Regiane Ferraz

Games

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