1O Ways To Reuse It: Plastic Bottles

We sometimes have an over abundance of plastic bottles. The kids will go through spurts where they spend spare money on soda pop, they'll get sports treats with water bottles in them, or we have parties where we have leftover 2 liter bottles. They are big and bulky and a landfill nuisance. So here are some ways to get more use from your plastic bottles.

1. Make a funnel. We cut off the top spout of the bottle, invert it and use it to add oil to the lawnmower, car and weed wacker. You can use one in the kitchen too.


2. Flush Cheaper. If you fill a one or two litter bottle with water and put it in your toilet tank, you'll use less water when flushing. The filled bottle in heavy enough to stay on the bottom instead of floating up and the space it takes up keeps your tank from filling all the way but still give you a good flush.


3. Store Pantry Items. Make sure they are washed and dried well and then store bulk small grains in them. It's so easy to pour out just as much rice as you need from the narrow opening of the bottle. Great for cornmeal, lentils or other small beans, sugar, and barley.
   


4. Make a bird feeder station. This is a simple and fun activity for the kids. Instructions are here.


5. Homemade Juicer. Some bottles have a piece in the bottom that sticks up just like a hand juicer. Cut the base off and use the same way. The sides catch the juice. Here's a picture.


6. Medicine Doser. Did you use the little measuring cup that comes with your child's Tylenol? Use the bottle lid to replace it. Just make sure you measure and mark it well.
   


7. Make your own year round herb garden. Do you have a sunny windowsill in your kitchen. Cut the tops off the bottles and fill with dirt. Plant some low growing herbs in there and grow them year round in your sunny window. Nothing beats fresh herbs when cooking and this doesn't take much space. You can decorate or spray paint the containers to match your kitchen colors.
   


8. Make A Rain Gauge. We live where it rains alot. It's fun to measure how much rain we have and turn it into a science project. Here's some directions to make your own.


9. Frugal Coffee Maker. This would be great for camping. Cut the bottle into two pieces. Turn the top upside down so it is a funnel. Hold the funnel in place, and then place a coffee filter inside. Put ground coffee on the filter and pour hot water over it.


10. Make a Raft. Seriously. THIS is just one of many out there on the net. Kinda looks like some good summer fun. Can you say Huckleberry Finn for the modern child?

For more WFMW tips go HERE.