10 CREATIVE ways to Recycle Plastic Bottles
Plastic is predominantly produced from oil and gas, both of which are fossil fuels. The more plastic we make, the more fossil fuel is required, the more we intensify the climate crisis. Also, plastic products create greenhouse gas emissions across their whole lifecycle. If no action is taken, greenhouse gas emissions caused by plastic could account for 19% of the Paris Agreement’s total allowable emissions in 2040 to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. More than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year worldwide, half of which is designed to be used only once. Of that, less than 10 per cent is recycled.
An estimated 19–23 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers and seas annually. That is approximately the weight of 2,200 Eiffel Towers all together. Microplastics — tiny plastic particles up to 5mm in diameter — find their way into food, water and air. It is estimated that each person on the planet consumes more than 50,000 plastic particles per year –and many more if inhalation is considered. Discarded or burnt single-use plastic harms human health and biodiversity and pollutes every ecosystem from mountain tops to the ocean floor.
According to the National Environment Management Authority, plastics take a lion’s share of waste in Uganda with over 600 tonnes being produced every day throughout the country. Given that only 40% of this waste is collected and disposed of properly, the remaining 60% finds its way into the environment leading to a number of problems. At 60%, plastics constitute the greatest part of pollution of our lakes, rivers, degradation of our soils and rendering fertility and productivity of agriculture ineffective. Needless to say, the rampant blockage of our drainage channels is culminating into the floods that we see today.
World Environment Day 2023 is a reminder that people’s actions on plastic pollution matters. The steps governments and businesses are taking to tackle plastic pollution are the consequence of this action. On the 5th of June 2023, Uganda joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Environmental Day under the Campaign: “#BeatPlasticPollution, Ecosystem Restoration”. The theme aimed to encourage countries to embrace the benefits of a circular plastics economy, educate people on the dangers of plastic usage and providing alternatives to plastic in their daily lives. The ultimate goal is to protect nature, wild and marine life, and making people aware of the importance of recycling and advocating for avoidance of single-use plastic altogether.
With available science and solutions to tackle the problem, governments, companies and other stakeholders must scale up and speed actions to solve this crisis. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), a shift to a circular economy can reduce the volume of plastics entering oceans by over 80 per cent by 2040; reduce virgin plastic production by 55 per cent; save governments US$70 billion by 2040; reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent; and create 700,000 additional jobs — mainly in the global south.
Living a more sustainable lifestyle is important for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint and shrink the amount of plastic they throw away. Recycling plastic is good, but finding ways to reuse it yourself is even better. Plastic bottles can be used for many DIY (Do It Yourself) ideas, from making garden decorations, and brooms to ottoman seats. Its resilient, flexible, transparent and food-safe qualities allow us to creatively re-use them for many purposes. So many, that we’ve decided to create a whole post dedicated to plastic bottle recycling and upcycling ideas.
- Reuse Soda Bottles by Creating a Vertical Garden
For those wanting to double down and create their own private vertical garden, this is perfect for you. Plastic bottles are perfect for those needing storage for a variety of plants both decorative and functional. This kind of vertical garden can be placed almost anywhere if you have some blank wall space that has access to sunlight and can be easily watered.
2. Plastic Bottle Planter
Cut some plastic bottles down to turn them into planters. Then, use pom poms and googly eyes to give them faces. Once you add flowers, your planters will look like they also have hair. Make these with your kids to get them excited about gardening.
3. Start a herb garden
If a small planter isn’t your style why not upcycle your empty 2-litre bottles into a herb garden.
4. A Water Bottle Sprinkler
Who doesn’t remember the days of running through a sprinkler in the front yard? Make an easy DIY sprinkler with reused plastic bottles to recreate this memory for your kids. Simply poke holes in a 2-liter bottle and hook it up to your garden hose. You can also recycle ballpoint pens that no longer work to get a more effective spray.
5. Reuse Coffee Cream Containers for Snack Storage
Looking for a sustainable way to organize your kitchen counters? Repurpose old plastic containers to save space on snack storage. Bottles make pouring incredibly easy, allowing you to take all types of food on the road. Recycled coffee creamers can also be used to store sugar, salt and similar products.
6. Recycle Laundry Detergent Jugs into Toy Cars
Sometimes the simplest toys are the biggest hit with kids. Test this recycling idea out and save yourself some money by repurposing laundry detergent bottles to build toy cars. You’ll need to save some extra caps for the wheels, and a big bottle should leave plenty of room for your kids to decorate.
7. A Juice Bottle Watering Can
Punch some holes in the cap of a juice bottle, and you have a great, makeshift watering can. These are ideal for mixing up fertilizer for your plants, because it’s something you can throw away when you’re done.
8. A Bird Feeder
Use two wooden spoons and a plastic soda bottle to make this simple bird feeder.
9. Durable Purse
The recycled plastic bottle bag are durable and reusable, which makes them economical in the long term. If you intend to carry heavy or sharp goods, find thicker recycled plastic bottle bag that can reliably withstand the pressure of demanding uses. Woven bags incorporate inter-joined threads for superior fabric strength. Manufactured recycled plastic bottle bag receive mechanical and chemical treatment for enhanced flexibility and water absorption.
10. Flower Curtains
Cut the bottoms off of a bunch of clear soda or water bottles; then, string them together to create these dramatic curtains
Start collecting your plastic bottles and try out one of these super creative and fun ideas to keep them out of landfills for good!. If you don’t have an opportunity to separate your waste for recycling, do not throw the beverage bottles out, it might become into a beautiful plastic bottle craft project while also helping our fragile ecosystem as well!
