In the heat of the apparent consequences of plastic pollution on our oceans and land, it is important to practice reducing, reusing, and recycling. One of the more underrated of the three, reusing plastic can make a more long lasting use out of some common plastic items you may have around your house. Here is a list of 7 creative ways to reuse common plastic items:
1. Use plastic bags are garbage bags in bathrooms or offices:
Offices and restrooms oftentimes have smaller garbage pails. An efficient way to use garbage bags for them is to take grocery shopping bags and use them as garbage bags for these garbage pails! This is a quick and easy way to keep plastic bags out of the garbage system for a little bit longer!
2. Collect bottle caps and use them for art projects:
Bottle caps can make cool accessories for paintings and art projects! My favorite way to use bottle caps is to arrange them on a canvas and paint them cool colors to add texture to a painting!
3. Make laundry detergent bottles into a watering can for plants:
Need a new watering can? Use an empty washed out bottle for laundry detergent as an alternative to buying a new one. Simply drill holes into the bottle’s cap and water your plants accordingly.
4. Make plastic bottles into storage containers:
Use plastic bottles as they are or cut them down to size to make desktop containers for pens, accessories, and beauty products! Depending on the bottle size, you can easily reuse bottles and still make them look nice on your desk!
5. Make a recycling bin out of plastic bottles:
Believe it or not, you can use recyclable goods to make a recycling bin! Stack liter sized or tall plastic bottles and glue two layers of bottles stacked on one another in the shape of a circular recycling bin to make use out of extra plastic bottles you may have at home.
6. Reuse plastic bags as temporary storage:
Plastic bags can be reused to carry many things such as clothes, food, shoes, and road trip necessities. Keep plastic bags in your car to reuse them in shopping centers and around the house, to minimize how often you use new ones.
7. Use plastic bags to stuff shoes and bags:
Rather than reaching for new tissue paper, use plastic bags to stuff your shoes and bags so they don’t crease and can hold their shape easier, which will keep your more expensive attire and accessories in good condition.