Plastic bottles are made from fossil fuels, oil, and natural gas. Fossil fuels are used to make this plastic. This means that, in order to make one bottle, the earth needs to sacrifice 700 liters of water.
When you recycle a bottle, it cuts down on the use of these resources and keeps them in circulation. However, if you don’t recycle your bottles, they will end up in a landfill where they will take up space for up to 700 years.
What can I do about this?
The best thing you can do is start recycling your plastics! There are many ways to reuse and recycle your plastic bottles so they won’t contribute to the issue with our environment. One way is by turning them into something beautiful! You can turn them into planters or other decorative items like lamps or vases. Another thing you could do is melt the plastic down and use it as a replacement for oil-based plastics like Styrofoam cups and packaging material.
Top Tips for Recycling Plastic Bottles
There are so many great things you can do with your plastic bottles to make an impact! Here are 5 creative ways to recycle plastic bottles that will have an impact on our environment.
- Use plastic bottles to grow plants in. When you pour water in the bottle, make sure to poke holes in the bottom for drainage.
- Cut the bottom off of a plastic bottle and use it as a vase for flowers or other small plants.
- Fill up your old water bottles with paint, glue, or even rice! This is great if you are looking for something to fill with crafts you are making.
- Turn an old plastic bottle into a pencil holder! Cut the top off of an old water bottle and stick it to your desk with some tape. Then stick pencils in so they have a place to go when they are not being used.
- Use your old plastic bottles as storage containers! Store things like paintbrushes in them or wrap up individual snacks and freeze them inside for later use.