It is estimated that 30 percent of the world's polyethylene terephtalate (PET) goes into plastic bottles. The manufacturing of this type of plastic involves a series of complicated chemical interactions that begin with the withdrawal of hydrocarbons from crude oil. Crude oil is a non-renewable resource that's extracted from various locations all over the world with innumerable environmental impacts.
If you've read our article on the basics of recycling, you already know that PET is the most widely accepted type of plastic at recycling centers. But did you know you can use your plastic bottles to conserve resources and reduce consumption even before you recycle them? Here are some useful ways to REUSE your 2-liter plastic bottles.
COLD WEATHER USE FOR YOUR 2-LITER BOTTLES
To eliminate the use of pesky sandbags in winter, fill up your empty, 2-liter plastic bottles with dry sand or kitty litter and keep them in the trunk of your car. They're much easier to use than messy bags that easily break or spill while pouring. They're great for sprinkling sand or kitty litter around your tires when you're stuck in a slick spot.
HOUSEHOLD USE FOR 2-LITER BOTTLES
Foot Warmer. You don't have to buy a heating pad or a hot-water bottle to ease your cold, aching feet at the end of the day. Just fill a 2-liter plastic bottle with hot water and roll it back and forth under your feet as you sit and unwind.
Ice Pack. Instead of buying new ice packs from the store, just freeze tap water in 2-liter plastic bottles. Use them in your cooler when you need to transport food, then once they melt you'll have ice-cold water to drink! Keeping your freezer full actually uses less energy and saves money on your electric bill, so fill up any extra space with these homemade ice packs. Just remember to leave a little room at the top of the bottle so the water can expand as it freezes.
Yarn Holder. Tangled yarn is a huge bother when knitting or crocheting. But you can make a yarn holder for yourself by simply cutting the bottom off a 2-liter plastic bottle, inserting your yarn, pulling a strand through the top opening, and then taping the bottom back on. Your yarn will be kept from rolling all over the place and getting tangled.
KID USES FOR 2 LITER BOTTLES
Backyard Sprayer. Every child loves to run through a sprinkler during the summer. So keep your kids cool and happy by making one at home with a clean, 2-liter plastic bottle. Simply cut three 1-inch slits in one side, and then use duct tape to tightly fasten the nozzle of the hose to the top of the bottle. All that's left is to turn on the water and the fun!
Bank. There's no need to buy a piggy bank for your kids when you have empty, 2-liter plastic bottles lying around your house. All you have to do is cut a small slit somewhere on the bottle, paint it or cover it with some fabric, and fill it up with coins. And to get the coins out, you can either cut a three-sided opening in the bottom of the bottle before you fill it up, or you can just cut the bottle open once it's full.
Kid Terrarium. Kids will be able to witness how new plants grow while they receive firsthand knowledge about reusing everyday household items. All you need is a 2-liter plastic bottle, a pair of scissors or a knife, some indoor potting soil, some sand, several small plants, a small makeup sponge, and some tape.
- Place the bottle on its side and carve an egg-shaped flap large enough to put your hand through.
- With the bottle still on its side, add a quarter inch of sand and potting soil.
- Secure the small plants into the soil and add the moistened makeup sponge.
- Fasten the egg-shaped flap closed with tape that can be easily removed. Make sure the bottle cap is screwed on tightly so the plants will have an ideal, moist environment to grow in.
- Place the terrarium in a well-lit area and watch your plants grow!
OUTDOOR USES FOR 2-LITER BOTTLES
Bird Feeder. Making a bird feeder from a used plastic bottle is an activity you can either enjoy with your kids or by yourself. It's a resourceful, eco-friendly activity the neighborhood birds will really thank you for. All you need is a 2-liter plastic bottle without the seal, a pair of scissors, a nail, a 12-inch wooden dowel, some strong cord, some birdseed, and a little parental supervision.
- With the nail, carefully poke a hole on each side of the bottle, near the bottom.
- Insert the dowel through these holes to make perches.
- On each side of the bottle, make U-shaped cuts about 2 inches above the holes you just made with the nail, then bend each cut outward to make flaps.
- Poke two holes just under the top rim of the bottle for the hanger.
- Thread some strong cord through these top holes to hang the feeder.
- Fill the feeder with birdseed and put the cap back on the bottle.
- Hang the bird feeder outside and watch the birds enjoy your creation!
Bug Trap. If your patio has become the local hangout for yellow jackets, wasps, moths, and other flying insects, try making an environment-friendly trap. Inside a 2-liter plastic bottle, dissolve a half-cup of sugar in a half-cup of water. Next, add a cup of apple cider vinegar and a banana peel. Make sure the cap is on tightly, shake the mixture up, and then fill the bottle halfway with cold water. Use a drill or a knife to cut a three-quarter-inch hole near the top of the bottle. And finally, hang the trap from a tree branch where the bugs are especially active.
Drip Irrigation System. In hot summer months when you especially need to deep water new plants, try making your own irrigation system. All you need is a 2-liter plastic bottle, scissors or a sharp knife, and an irrigation spike (purchase online for less than $1 each).
- Make sure the bottle is clean and dry before you start, then with your knife or scissors cut about three inches above the base of the bottle. This is so you'll be able to refill the bottle with a garden hose after it's in place.
- Fit the irrigation spike onto the neck of the bottle, put it in the ground beside your plants, fill the bottle with water, and let gravity take over.