12 Incredible Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles

Got a trashcan full of water bottles? Instead of wasting them, reuse plastic water bottles into something useful and practical. Transforming them takes little effort and few tools. I’ll have you wondering why you haven’t been reusing these bad boys all along.

Plastic water bottles, sadly, often end up in landfills and oceans, causing environmental harm. Frankly, we should all pitch in to avoid clogging up our surroundings. Whether it’s volunteering on Earth Day, recycling electronics, shredding papers, or shopping at stores that offer rewards for recycling.

But, I’m here to offer some creative options for your plastic bottles. With a little creativity and some DIY skills, these bottles can be transformed into useful and decorative objects. All of which are great as practical household items or fun art projects.

So, if you have a stash of plastic water bottles lying around, read on for some inspiration on how to give them a new lease on life. Download the Krazy Coupon Lady app or text HACKS to 57299 for more life hacks, money-saving deals, tips, and coupons.

 

1. Create an I-Spy bottle with rice and toys.

This upcycled plastic water bottle idea is perfect for road trips. Fill a bottle with rice, small toys, and beads, then create a checklist (visual or text) for kids. Have kids cross off items as they find them. Use super glue to keep the cap tightly screwed if you’re worried your child will dump out all the rice and toys.

RELATED: Best Road Trip Games to Help You Survive a Family Trip — All Free!

 

2. Play glow-in-the-dark bowling with plastic water bottles.

Insert dollar store glow sticks into bottles filled with water. Use a ball to knock them over.

Ideally, you’ll want to use larger bottles. Try this tip in a long hallway or outdoors as a cheap backyard entertainment idea.

 

3. Cut off the top to reuse as a water bottle planter.

Cut the plastic bottle top off. You can make it as short or tall as you want for your plants. Add dirt, plants, and voila. Visit our home and garden savings guide to find the best prices on soil and plants.

 

4. Show kids how to inflate a balloon with baking soda and vinegar.

Using a funnel, fill an old water bottle a third of the way with vinegar. Dry the funnel, and use it to pour baking soda into a balloon. Fill the balloon halfway with baking soda.

Cover the top of the bottle with your baking soda balloon, but make sure you don’t let the baking soda spill into the bottle prematurely.

When you and your child are ready, lift the balloon and let the baking soda fall into the vinegar. Baking soda and vinegar create an acid-base chemical reaction as soon as they’re combined. This will cause the balloon to inflate, filling up with the carbon dioxide gas created by the reaction in the bottle.

 

5. Blow bubbles with a plastic water bottle.

Clean an empty water bottle, then cut the bottom off, making sure the cut is even. Dip the cut end in a bubble solution.

Blow through the mouth of the bottle to create bubbles.

 

 

6. Turn a milk jug into a scoop for multiple uses.

To turn a milk jug into a scoop, start by rinsing it out. Using scissors or a craft knife, cut off the bottom of the milk jug, or just below the handle (as shown). This will become the scoop.

As an option, smooth out any rough edges with a piece of sandpaper. Use it for scooping soil, sand, or other materials around the garden. It also works well for pouring pet food.

 

7. Or, make a DIY watering can out of a milk jug.

Rinse out a milk jug, then use scissors or a knife to poke several holes in the cap. Fill the jug with water and hydrate your plants.

 

8. Use a water bottle top to turn a bag into a pourable container.

Cut all the way around the bottle top. Pull the snack bag through the opening and seal it with the lid.

Now your kids won’t have to dig their dirty hands in your snack bag. Have to admit, this idea might be my favorite.

 

9. Separate the yolk from an egg white.

A water bottle with thicker plastic works perfectly for this. Crack an egg over a plate, then squeeze the empty water bottle slightly to suck up the yolk.

 

10. Water your plants while you’re on vacation.

Use a small drill bit or nail to poke one to four holes into the cap of a plastic water bottle. If you need to water bigger plants, use a 2-liter bottle. Keep in mind that the more holes you have and the wider the holes, the faster the flow of water. Fill the bottle with water and replace the cap.

Quickly insert the filled bottle into your plant’s soil. You may need to press soil around the bottle to keep it upright. Water will drip slowly out of the bottle’s cap while you’re away.

 

11. Use a plastic water bottle as a mailing tube.

What kid wouldn’t love to receive colored pencils and other treats in a water bottle? While a plastic water bottle isn’t sturdy enough to mail (and those pesky postal laws), you can easily create your own mailing tube by rolling up a piece of cardboard and taping it securely to hold its shape. Then, insert your item inside and seal the ends with tape.

Alternatively, you can purchase pre-made mailing tubes from office supply stores or online retailers. These tubes are specifically designed for shipping and will provide much better protection for your items than a plastic water bottle.

 

12. Make reaching the faucet easier for toddlers.

Use a knife or scissors to cut off the narrow lid and make the channel for the water. The plastic around the lid is thicker, so it may be a little harder to cut through. Also, depending on your faucet and how curved the spout is, you may have to adjust the extender’s holes or use a different bottle so it stays on.