4 Green Ways To Upcycle Your Plastic Bottles
Everyone's talking about sustainability these days and with good reason. People all over the world are starting to wake up to the environmental problems that single-use plastics create. That's why a lot of countries and companies are starting to ban plastic straws and bottles in an effort to reduce plastic waste. One of the best ways for you to help out the planet is to reuse or upcycle empty plastic bottles. So we've come up with 4 green DIY hacks to help guide you on this journey. For example, did you know that you can turn 3 empty plastic bottles into a vertical herb garden? Or how about your very own greenhouse that you can use to grow onions? Have a crack at these tricks!
1. Herb Garden
You'll Need:
- 3 empty plastic bottles
- box cutter
- screwdriver
- lighter
- twine
- 6 hooks
- clay pebbles
- potting soil
- herbs
Here's How:
1.1 Cut a big rectangle out of all 3 empty plastic bottles with a box cutter.
1.2 Heat the tip of a screwdriver and poke 2 holes above and below the empty rectangle in the front and back of the bottle. You're going to use those holes later to hang up the herb garden.
1.3 Poke another 5 holes into the back of the bottle.
1.4 Thread 2 equally long pieces of twine through the 2 holes at the bottom and top of the bottle. Now make a loop on each side. The bottle that's going to be in the middle needs to have 4 loops so that it can hang on the upper hook and support the lower 2 hooks.
1.5 Put one hook through each of the loops.
1.6 Fill the bottle with clay pebbles and potting soil.
1.7 Now put the herbs in the soil.
1.8 Hang your vertical garden on a window so that the herbs get plenty of light.
2. Onion Greenhouse
You'll Need:
- 1 XXL plastic jug (2-3 gallon bottle)
- box cutter
- screwdriver
- lighter
- felt
- potting soil
- onions
Here's How:
2.1 Cut off the neck of the big plastic jug.
2.2 Heat the tip of a screwdriver with a lighter.
2.3 Poke 24 big holes all around the bottle. There should be 6 holes on each side.
2.4 Poke 4 small holes in the bottom.
2.5 Cut up a piece of felt and put it on the bottom of the bottle.
2.6 Add the first layer of soil to the bottle. Cut off the top of the onions and place them directly behind the big holes in the bottle. Repeat this process with all the onions until the bottle is full and there's an onion in each hole.
2.7 Place the 4 remaining onions in the soil in an upright position so that the green can grow upward. You only have to be patient for a few days until you can watch them grow. These onions are perfect for soups, salads, and so much more!
3. Water Dispenser
You'll Need:
- plastic bottle
- box cutter
- screwdriver
- lighter
Here's How:
3.1 Cut off the bottom portion of the plastic bottle.
3.2 Heat the tip of a screwdriver with a lighter and poke 4 holes in the lid of the bottle.
3.3 Turn the bottle upside down, stick it directly in the potting soil in a flower pot, and fill it with water. This automatic water dispenser will take care of the rest so you no longer have to worry about your plants dying while you're away on vacation.
4. Flower Pot
You'll Need:
- empty plastic bottle
- masking tape
- black and pink markers
- box cutter
- spray paint
Here's How:
4.1 Wrap masking tape down around the bottom portion of the bottle and draw two triangles on it as shown. Cut off the bottom of the bottle along the edge of the tape and around the 2 triangles. Then remove the masking tape.
4.2 Spray paint the cut-out plastic piece and draw a cat's face on it (or any other animal you like). Now you'll have adorably customized flower pots for your home.
Isn't it awesome how easy it is to upcycle single-use plastic bottles? Now you'll never have to run to the store to get fresh herbs again because you have your own herb garden. But it's not just great for elevating your cooking to the next level, it also looks really cute. Be kind to the planet and try these amazing DIY projects. After all, there is no Planet B!