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You are here: Home / Blog posts / Environmental / 15+ ways to upcycle plastic

15+ ways to upcycle plastic

April 16, 2021 Filed Under: Environmental, Blog posts

Most people are guilty of throwing away something in the general waste bin that could have been recycled. I sometimes get confused about which items can and can’t be recycled. I am super passionate about the environment so take the time to figure it out but not everyone is. A way to not throw out so much plastic is to reuse and upcycle as much as possible. Upcycling is great because not only are you not throwing out plastic, but you are saving money on something you would end up buying. I try to do this as often as I can.

Some inspiration…

Bottle planters

I love this idea – the bunny one looks especially cute!

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/27443878969962077/sent/?invite_code=82e392dd861e449eb5295b870905ca28&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Pom poms out of plastic bags

I used to do this when I was younger and it was a lot of fun. Different bags = more colours

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/15973773666044002/sent/?invite_code=8a7c821407c24dcdaddce9790e62972e&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Store pasta, rice etc. in plastic bottles

This one isn’t upcycling so much, but it’s a great way to store food without buying more containers.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/535435843206311988/sent/?invite_code=1250fdecf7374b53944ca65cb1dce58e&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Bottle tops as game counters

Not so much of an upcycling craft but I’m sure you’ve lost a game counter before and needed to sub something in. A colourful bottle top is perfect for that!

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/300967187604440614/sent/?invite_code=81883394898842a78de38ab68e4bcb82&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Make a pencil case out of plastic bottles

You just need to add a zip!

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/9288742969734142/sent/?invite_code=c8d3a3c0050e4977957f340a68bdf728&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Turn plastic bottles into a storage container

This is totally my kind of thing – I actually use mushroom containers to store my medicine & make up!

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/432838214193296351/sent/?invite_code=6d0050e918954dc7aebd8ed31d11b4d5&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Make plarn (plastic yarn!)

I love the idea of this & will definitely be giving it a go

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/301530137558850769/sent/?invite_code=ce97a01404ab412ba09c8af93a1feee2&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Create a pretty picture out of bottle tops

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/3799980922281514/sent/?invite_code=d7e5291e2e06491bb1def700edf60b09&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Related post: 5 ways to reduce your plastic consumption

Weave a rug

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/13510867620263643/sent/?invite_code=d2451a9d7a214f138632ab21be1a99fa&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Make an instrument

I used to do this all the time as a child!

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/614248836678781504/sent/?invite_code=31a4ae4e5ba04fb1a53018ee63fe366d&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Use the bottom of a bottle to make a jewellery bowl

This one is such a nice idea because they can colour them & it looks like a flower.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/200621358389040964/sent/?invite_code=605869f29fe9490e93d1fe9aee7e2768&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Weave a basket

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/469781804870785782/sent/?invite_code=2773024fcf6b486c8528a2deae9b9db4&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Make a piggy bank

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/31103053668094003/sent/?invite_code=fc200ec2e38d4d7ba28eb03431b8dc58&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Plastic bottle watering can

This one less upcycling and more DIY.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/293296994469667325/sent/?invite_code=46df16ff445a47a082bf16986d9dacc8&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Make a bracelet

Instead of using PLASTIC loom bands, why not use a bag you have lying around the house?

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/351491945925357293/sent/?invite_code=8cafef0927404b93b4c3c675c69105bf&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Create a windchime

Windchimes are so nice for the garden – one made out of plastic would be colourful 😍

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/41165784082250369/sent/?invite_code=b9054c87e14b4e94a92f116737e57c31&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Plastic bag football

Anyone else remember making this in primary school? Or maybe Brownies/Guides?

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/349803096031308342/sent/?invite_code=e5358f63fd5c42d784997583f189e0e3&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Paint pallette

I really like this idea because pallettes are made out of plastic anyway so you would be saving some from being wasted.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/52495151894829045/sent/?invite_code=3ebb194288c944d4aacca5867ad4fbc5&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

Plastic bottle as a utensil holder

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/11399805283253238/sent/?invite_code=e7e955baa73c4165afddc0987022d77f&sender=965740851252696566&sfo=1

I love all the ideas I came across on Pinterest but not everyone has the time or would enjoy making crafts. There needs to be a change to make recycling clearer as it seems that millions of people don’t know.

Better You has created a petition because the current policy lacks the transparency and infrastructure needed to create an effective recycling life cycle. Their petition demands a national, unified programme for waste plastic collection and recycling which is standardised, independently monitored, and publicly reviewed annually.

I’d really appreciate it if you could sign the petition <3

Have you tried any of these?

Best wishes, Cx

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Simple sustainable swaps for students

About Caroline

Welcome to Enviroline Blog πŸ’—
I blog to raise awareness about the environment and mental health - specifically eating disorder recovery.
I upload every Sunday and some Wednesdays.

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Comments

  1. Alison says

    April 16, 2021 at 10:37 am

    These are such fun ideas! I had forgotten about making pom poms. I definitely did that when I was a kid πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 16, 2021 at 11:53 am

      So much fun! x

      Reply
  2. the blog girl <3 says

    April 16, 2021 at 10:50 am

    I loved this – so useful!!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 16, 2021 at 11:53 am

      Thank you x

      Reply
  3. Love and Literature says

    April 16, 2021 at 12:08 pm

    Aw, I love these ideas! The bottle planters are the CUTEST! x

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 16, 2021 at 9:11 pm

      I know right! x

      Reply
  4. Simona says

    April 16, 2021 at 12:18 pm

    Some of these are so clever! I need to try my hand at waving plastic bags but don’t have many so I will need to find out if my neighbors have extra they don’t need! Thank you for these brilliant ideas Caroline x

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 16, 2021 at 9:14 pm

      Aw that would be great, thank you xx

      Reply
  5. Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader) says

    April 16, 2021 at 12:45 pm

    What a great list. I love the planters! Clearer recycling rules would be great. There’s so much innovation that can be done with recycled plastic. I own a pair of shoes made (not by me) from recycled plastic bottles. They are so cute and you’d never know!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 16, 2021 at 9:15 pm

      Totally agree! My travel mug is made of plastic pottles πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Francesca says

    April 16, 2021 at 1:13 pm

    Such fun ideas, love this post! x

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 16, 2021 at 9:15 pm

      thank you πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. lucymarytaylor says

    April 16, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    These are great ways to upcycle plastic! I remember making pom poms when I was a kid! x

    Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 16, 2021 at 9:16 pm

      Thank you for reading xx

      Reply
  8. mindbeautysimplicity says

    April 16, 2021 at 6:11 pm

    love all the suggestions, caroline! I especially love the bottle caps as game pieces

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 16, 2021 at 9:17 pm

      Thank you x

      Reply
  9. Ruth says

    April 16, 2021 at 6:58 pm

    These are such fab ways to upcycle plastic. I love the plastic bottle watering can.

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 16, 2021 at 9:17 pm

      Thanks πŸ™‚ x

      Reply
  10. crystalsandcurls says

    April 17, 2021 at 11:14 am

    These are all awesome ideas! I use all my old conditioner tubs as planters and other plastic bottles and jars as propagation stations x

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 20, 2021 at 10:47 pm

      I love that! x

      Reply
  11. Della Driscoll says

    April 17, 2021 at 11:35 am

    So many genius and fun ideas, especially for kids! I love the milk carton one x

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 20, 2021 at 10:47 pm

      Thank you πŸ™‚ x

      Reply
  12. Charli Weinrauch says

    April 17, 2021 at 12:17 pm

    What an incredible collection of ideas! I’m saving this post to give me ideas for craft projects with the kids.
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 20, 2021 at 10:48 pm

      Aw, that’s so great to hear! Thank you, always a good idea to do eco-friendly activities from an early age πŸ™‚

      Reply
  13. simplyalexjean says

    April 17, 2021 at 5:48 pm

    This is wonderful – so many great ideas! I frequently use left over protein shake & juice bottles for my baking supplies/ granola and it’s been great to give those products a second life. The rest of the list looks awesome – thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 20, 2021 at 10:49 pm

      I love that idea – I have an empty pringle tube that I’m planning to store pasta in πŸ™‚ x

      Reply
  14. Headphonesthoughts says

    April 17, 2021 at 7:26 pm

    I love the idea of the pencil case out of water bottles. That is so cool. I love that idea. I will totally have to try that out.

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 20, 2021 at 10:50 pm

      Aw great! πŸ™‚ x

      Reply
  15. nortoncharity says

    April 18, 2021 at 12:54 am

    These are all such great ways to epicycle plastic. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 20, 2021 at 10:51 pm

      Thank you πŸ™‚

      Reply
  16. TheBlackPrincessDiaries says

    April 20, 2021 at 9:15 pm

    These are such cute and fun ways to reuse plastic! My grandparents love reusing their old bottles to hold different things in. I didn’t know you could upcycle plastic in so many ways. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 20, 2021 at 10:53 pm

      Thank you! x Grandparents always have the best ideas πŸ₯°

      Reply
      • TheBlackPrincessDiaries says

        April 21, 2021 at 3:17 am

        They really do! and you’re welcome β™₯

        Reply
  17. Dasynka says

    April 20, 2021 at 10:29 pm

    Such brilliant ideas! I had to try one of them. Thanks for the inspiration πŸ™‚

    xx Dasynka

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 20, 2021 at 10:53 pm

      Aw great! x

      Reply
  18. Sarah says

    April 21, 2021 at 1:50 am

    These are all such fab ideas!! I love the little planters I think I will make these with my nephew the next time I see him. They seems like so much fun and a great way to recycle

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 21, 2021 at 9:59 pm

      Aw, that’s great! x

      Reply
  19. loverosiee says

    April 22, 2021 at 11:59 am

    I have fallen in love your blog! It’s incredible, it’s everything I want to read right now!! I am all for being more sustainable and recycling where I can!
    I love your ideas – the planters are great. I am sharing this with my school teacher friend to show her class of year 3s!

    Rosie

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 22, 2021 at 7:53 pm

      Awww, thank you so much! That means the world to me πŸ₯°πŸ’š I’m so glad you enjoyed xx

      Reply
  20. Allison | thenutmegdiaries.com says

    April 22, 2021 at 3:03 pm

    There are so many great ideas here! The planters are adorable, and the jewelry dish is so cute! Any of these would be great activities for young kids, especially as they learn about recycling and protecting the environment.

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      April 22, 2021 at 7:54 pm

      Thank you, I totally agree x

      Reply
  21. Michelle says

    May 7, 2021 at 5:52 pm

    I love these ideas! I really want to try the rag rug soon.

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      May 13, 2021 at 12:44 pm

      Thank you x

      Reply

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Welcome To My Blog <3

Hello!

Welcome to Enviroline Blog. I’m Caroline and I am currently in my second year at Bournemouth University studying Environmental Science.

On my blog, I share tips & tricks on how to be more sustainable in your everyday life.

A few facts about me:

  1. I have two cats
  2. I love musicals
  3. I’m a vegetarian
  4. My favourite colour is pink

 

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