Instead of recycling plastic and glass bottles, turn them into some cool crafts! You’re going to love these 40+ recycled bottle ideas. Great options for both kids and adults.
Every week (Sunday night to be specific), I do the same thing – pull the garbage and recycling bin out by the curb. That means waddling out in my pajamas pants before the truck comes Monday morning.
I typically only do the cardboard and plastics every week, while saving the glass to put out every two – three weeks.
And every time I finally haul the glass out, I always think the same thing: “Oh, that’s a cool bottle! Maybe I should keep that.” I mean don’t get me wrong, it happens with the cardboard and plastic too.
But the glass in particular always seems to get me, because of all the cool recycled bottle ideas I’ve seen over the course of time.
There are so many crafts I want to try! And guess what a glass bottle is, besides in the recycling bin? It’s free!!
In the never-ending pursuit of crafting, you might have also found yourself with a lot of bottles in your stash. Whether from wine or water, they can be used for a variety of projects in order to recycle items and save money.
This blog post is going to cover some fun ideas on how to reuse the bottles in your recycle bin (glass, plastic) in unique ways.
With a little creativity and a bit of elbow grease, you can turn your old bottles into something new to you. Here are some clever reuse projects to get the creative juices flowing! There are over 40 ideas, so just scroll down to see them.
1
craftyourhappiness.com
DIY Plastic Bag Holders
Looking for a more modern plastic bag holder you can make? Do it with a two liter soda bottle! It's very easy to do and to mount on the wall.
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2
Wine Bottle Chandelier
Learn how to make a DIY chandelier using wine bottles! This is such a cool idea that goes with a wide variety of decor styles.
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3
Tissue Paper Wine Bottles
If you love wine bottle crafts, these lanterns are easy to make with tissue paper and Mod Podge. The bottle lights are easy to install and make the project!
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4
Recycle Pill Bottles into Useful Organizers
If you have a giant purse, I have a solution to losing things in the black hole – recycle plastic pill bottles into organizers! So easy to make.
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5
Recycle Glass Bottles Into Vases
Recycle glass bottles and turn them into vases – all you need is a little bit of spray paint and Mod Podge. This craft is so easy!
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6
Make a Cell Phone Holder from a Lotion Bottle
Not sure where to put your phone while it’s charging? Make a cell phone holder from a recycled lotion bottle using Mod Podge, and keep it near the plug. This is one of my favorite recycled bottle ideas!
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7
www.cravingsomecreativity.com
Animal Planters
These recycled plastic bottle planters are so adorable! Self watering planters make great Earth Day crafts; these planters are the perfect size for a cactus or succulent.
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8
wesens-art.blogspot.com
Plastic Bottle to Mini Purse
Don't throw away the empty small plastic bottles you used while traveling. Transform them into cutest little mini purses ever.
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9
look-what-i-made.com
Plastic Bottles Upcycled Into Cacti Lights
This is one of the most unique recycled bottle ideas ever! Turn plastic bottles into cacti – with plastic bottle flowers – and then lights are added to make them even cooler.
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10
thefrugalcrafter.wordpress.com
How to Make Plastic Bottle Beads
I can't believe you can make beads out of plastic bottles! You probably have the supplies to make these already in your home.
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11
www.guideastuces.com
Monster Pencil Jars with Shampoo Bottles
Time to bust out the googly eyes! I love these pencil jars made out of plastic shampoo bottles. Kids are going to have a great time decorating their own containers.
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12
cremedelacraft.com
Bud Vases from Nail Polish Bottles
Got a few empty nail polish bottles lying around? Upcycle them into colorful flower bud vases! What's great about this DIY tutorial is that you probably have most (if not all) of these craft supplies at home, which makes this a really easy and cheap project to make.
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13
www.epbot.com
Jewelry Stand
This pretty green jewelry stand is made from four plastic Mountain Dew bottles and exactly $3.72 worth of materials from the hardware store. It also took about two hours to make!
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14
www.handmadecharlotte.com
Colorful Lanterns
These playful and festive decorations were made for a Fourth of July celebration – but you can make them for any time of years! Kids will love to help make them.
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15
cottageatthecrossroads.com
Painted Bottle Spring Centerpiece
If you're looking for simple recycled bottle ideas, this is an awesome project! All you need for an instant decoration is a bit of spray paint.
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16
Amy Locurto
Cat Containers
Making a recycled bottle cat container is an easy craft and a lot of fun! Learn how to repurpose shampoo bottles by turning them into cute kitty cat containers.
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17
www.themomcreative.com
Kid’s Soda Bottle Jet Pack
If you've got two two-liter bottles and some felt, you can make a cool jet pack for hours of imaginative play! This is such a simple and easy project that kids love.
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18
krokotak.com
Cute Kids’ Games
Learn how to make cute games with plastic bottles! The aim of the game is to put the fish into the shark’s mouth, or to put the bee into the flower. Kids will love making the games as well as playing them.
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19
www.thegardenroofcoop.com
DIY Wine Bottle Bird Feeders
Apparently the hardest part of this DIY feeder was learning how to drill a hole in a glass bottle. Once you can master that, the rest is easy!
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20
makeit-loveit.com
No-Sew Zipper Cases from Bottles
If you have a zipper, a hot glue gun, and a plastic bottle, you can make these cutie zippered cases! Make them in a variety of sizes depending on the bottles you have.
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21
www.momtastic.com
Self Watering Planters
I've never seen a self watering planter made with strings! These planters are made from plastic bottles and are very cool and colorful.
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22
blomsterverkstad.blogspot.com
Mini Greenhouses
Keep your cuttings moist with this very practical recycled bottle craft! Cut the of a plastic bottle off to do the same thing for your own plants.
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23
www.apieceofrainbow.com
Dandelion Paper Lanterns
It's hard to believe that under the pretty paper is a plastic bottle! Learn how to make these beautiful lanterns at the blog, and you can even make them with the ridged bottles.
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24
almostmakesperfect.com
Upcycled Plant Hangers
Recycled bottle ideas can be modern, too! These plant hangers were made from old lotion bottles, and I love that they are hanging on the wall.
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25
Two Shades of Pink
Decoupage Milk Bottles
Grab some old bottles, paint them, and then Mod Podge on some pretty paper or fabric! This is a great way to add some cute decor to your kitchen.
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26
simplisticallyliving.com
Plastic Bottle Flowers for Kids
If you’ve got empty plastic bottles lying around, you will want to make these plastic bottle flowers! Kids can make an entire bouquet using what's the recycle bin.
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27
Amanda Formaro
Fairy House Night Lights from Bottles
Turn empty plastic water bottles into adorable little fairy house night lights! Fun for a child's room or a nursery, or even the garden.
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28
Jamie Dorobek
DIY Glass Bottle Outdoor Tree
What can you do with a bunch of old glass wine bottles? Turn them into an outdoor sculpture! Decorate your garden with this bottle tree, using steel rod from your local steel supply store.
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29
muminthemadhouse.com
Wind Spiral Mobile
I never realized that plastic bottles could be so pretty! This plastic bottle wind spiral mobile is perfect for hanging out in the garden and watching spin as the wind catches it.
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30
polkadotchair.com
DIY Coke Bottle Tabletop S’Mores Roaster
One you're done drinking the Coke, recycle the bottles into a tabletop s'mores roaster! This is so perfect for summer, and it's really easy to make.
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31
reusegrowenjoy.com
Bangle Bracelets
There is a never ending supply of plastic bottles, and so many recycled bottle ideas to try! These bracelets are one you definitely need to add to the list. Kids will love these.
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32
Brandy Nelson
$1 Soda Bottle Sprinkler
What can you make with a two-liter soda bottle and some tape? Why, the best soda bottle sprinkler around, that’s what! Kids will love this during summer!
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33
www.kitchentableclassroom.com
Recycled Plastic Bottle Weaving Idea
This cute project takes weaving for kids to a whole new level. Not only will your kids learn some basic weaving skills, but all of the materials used are 100% upcycled.
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34
Johnnie Collier
DIY Wine Bottle Craft Rainbow Lanterns
For little to no cost, you can create gorgeous rainbow lanterns for your next party, or for every day spring and summer decor! You'll cut the bottles and then add colored Mod Podge.
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35
theseamanmom.com
Gorgeous Flower Vase
Make your own recycled vase – using this easy tutorial – from a plastic bottle! If you didn’t know better, you’d swear this flower vase was made out of crystal or glass.
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36
Not Just Trash
Indoor Plastic Jug Herb Garden
Turn milk jugs into an indoor herb garden – with a pair of scissors and a Sharpie! You can easily hang them in a window using this tutorial.
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37
Maggy Woodley
Apple Boxes
These cute little apple gift boxes from plastic bottles are great for teacher appreciation! They are also fun for fall and Thanksgiving decorating.
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38
alphamom.com
Cherry Blossom Art with a Soda Bottle
As a professional crafter, it's hard to find ideas that I've never seen before – but this is one! I love that a plastic bottle was used as a stamp to make art. This DIY is genius.
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39
Halloween Potion Bottles
Learn how to make these cool Halloween potion bottles from old plastic pill bottles! You’ll get free printables in this post, too.
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40
Amy Locurto
Mercury Glass Coke Bottle Centerpiece
Who knew old glass bottles could be so pretty? You'll need a little mercury glass spray paint and some other festive touches to make this cool centerpiece (perfect for winter and New Year's).
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41
realcreativerealorganized.com
Pretty Winter Bottle Display
This is a bit of a different centerpiece than above, and it uses recycled wine bottles, Mod Podge, and epsom salt! You're going to love this technique for decorating items for winter.
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If you enjoyed these recycled bottle projects, I hope you’ll check out these other ideas:
Jojo
Saturday 13th of April 2024
Very nice!