Have you ever wondered how to reuse plastic bottles after they are empty? Do you already recycle your plastic products? Growing up, we recycled our plastic. In fact, my mom used to volunteer at the town’s recycling facility. So, recycling is a cause that is close to my heart. However, I must admit that I haven’t been as good at recycling things since I’ve moved out. So, when I received an email about reusing things, I knew I had to share.
Disclosure: I received a package of complimentary Johnson & Johnson products.
How to Reuse Plastic Bottles
While 7 out of 10 Americans say they always or almost always recycle, only 1 in 5 Americans consistently recycle in the bathroom. Many consumers don’t even realize that most products commonly used in the bathroom, such as shampoo, lotion and cleanser bottles, can be recycled.
Each year, Americans throw away enough 15-oz. shampoo bottles to fill 1,164 football fields—that’s 18,000 tons of plastic ending up in landfills. So, this can have a major impact on the environment.
To help make a difference, Johnson & Johnson is launching CARE TO RECYCLE™, a recycling campaign that encourages people to recycle more items from the bathroom. The Care to Recycle website includes helpful information and tips on what can and can’t be recycled and an infographic with additional statistics on bathroom-product recycling.
I found some of those statistics to be very surprising. I hate how much we waste. So, I’m excited to share these next couple of ideas with you. If you don’t know how to reuse plastic bottles and have never done it, then I’ve got some great ideas for you. If you’ve done it before and have other tips, please let me know them in the comments. These are just some great ones to get you started.
Most of the ideas on how to reuse plastic bottles consist of cutting the top off of it and using it for storage. However, the container could also be used to amplify the volume of the speakers on your cell phone or as a gardening shovel. So, do you have any other ideas for repurposing plastic bottles?
2023 Update: I have found it to be easier to recycle the plastic bottles by keeping a little recycling bin in my bathroom. It’s beside the trashcan, so it’s easy to just toss it in whenever I empty a bottle. This has helped me to recycle a lot more plastic! Additionally, we are very lucky that are our town starting offering a recycle pickup program. So, we just collect our recycling and put it out every other week. I highly recommend looking into recycling programs near you!
Denise S says
We have a recycle truck that picks up these things in our city.
Sue Hull says
I bring my plastic bottles in to get money. These are really good ideas what to do with old shampoo bottles. I like the pens in it. Thank you 🙂
Jackie says
I like the idea of cutting the top off and using it to store pens/pencils. The ribbon on the bottle dresses it up. We usually put our plastic bottles into recycling. I never thought of re-using them.
Sharon Rooney says
I normally but them out to be recycled by our township. I have used smaller cut plastic bottles to hold makeup in the bathroom and cut bleach bottles as a large funnel.
Dalores says
I have never tried reusing them in any way. I just put them out to be recycled.
Jennifer says
I usually just take plastics to the local recycling center, but sometimes I get crafty and repurpose them for little craft projects.
Kathy B says
We take our recycling to the local recycling center
Marti Tabora says
I reuse plastic water bottles all the time when I want to take different drinks with me to work, but other than that i just recycle them. thank you.
Cynthia C says
I take them to the local recycling center.
chris z says
i reuse water bottles for other drinks
Marj McClendon says
I just put them in the recycle bins. I like the ideas of using them for potting soil and for pencil holders.
Deborah Wellenstein says
We take them to our recycling center. Thanks!
Cynthia R says
we put them in the recycle bin.
wen budro says
I repurpose them and recycle as well.
mrsshukra says
Some go to bottle beverage recycle refund and most are in the recycle bin collected every other week here!
Maryann D. says
We recycle in cans every week and our town picks it up.
June S. says
We have recycled everything for many years now, it has cut down on what goes out to the curb for garbage every week dramatically.
Nikki says
I place mine in the recycle bin that was provided by the state.
TawndaM says
Our recyclables are picked up in the alley behind the house… but I’ve been known to re-purpose several types of containers…
steve weber says
by taking them to the recycling center.
Mer says
Desk and makeup organizers! I’ve got one covered in washi tape that I keep on my desk for pens, so cute!
Dorothy Teel says
We have used plastic bottles in the past as scoops for dog food and for our cat food, I have used them for pencil holders and for craft projects for girl scouts, I have used plastic soda bottles to make bird feeders and wind mobiles, I have used plastic bottles in the past for making Christmas decorations that the kids painted and now I mainly recycle and send to the city recycling center.
heather baker says
I use our local recycling center.
Cheryl Chervitz says
I recycle mine in the recycle bin. I have also used them for dog poop pick up.
leanne says
I put ours in the recycling bin
Margie says
We recycle all glass, paper and plastic.
Pat schwab says
I’ve been wanting to try jewelry out of plastic and started a pin board for inspiration, if not I put it in my recycle bin.
steven weber says
I put mine out in the recycling bin weekly.
Cathy French says
I wish I was more crafty to get the best results out of recycling these plastic bottles but I do like to cut off the tops and use them as small vases or kitchen item holders.
julie matek says
I never thought to use them as vases! Great idea;) I will also use for my makeup brushes:)
jmatek AT wi DOT rr DOT com
Cher Garman says
WE wash them and use them for as ice packs, and to take water along with us when we travel. Then we recycle them in the recycle bin!
M.Clark says
I have a bottle that I just keep refilling with filtered water, other than that I do not buy new bottles of water. And to add flavor to my water I boil some green tea or I add Crystal Light liquid.
Carmen S says
I am a teacher and use various bottles and recycled items that are cleaned out in my classroom regularly to hold things.
Brandy Davis says
I rinse the bottles and bag them up, once the bag is full I take it to my local recycling unit.
Audra O'Hara says
We don’t usually have a lot of empty plastic bottles. I have used empty ones for my daughter to use for bubble soap containers. She also likes using them in her sandbox and water table.
Helga says
I use them for water and juice bottles.
jennifer watts says
use the empty ones sometimes for water for my coffie pot.
Tina W says
I have always just tossed my empty beauty product bottles into our single-stream recycling bin. I can see I’ve missed some good ideas for re-purposing them…
Dawn Monroe says
I do not have a great creative mind so I do recycle but nothing fancy like the ones shown.
Virginia Rowell says
I recycle some of them to have a place for my cotton balls and qtips. What I can’t figure to use goes in the bin for the recycle pick up.
natalie yeoman says
i plan on reusing them for other drinks
Courtnie says
I like the make up brush holder idea! I think that and a toothbrush holder would be great ideas.
Linda Meyers-Gabbard says
The town WE live in offers a place we can drop off our recycling
Deb C says
You can fill them with water, freeze them and use them as cold packs in coolers.
Deb K says
We use Milk Jugs for many things,one is to hold my clothespins!
eddi b. says
im always reusing plastic bottles to make my own cleaning solutions
Linda Madden says
I drop off my plastics at our local recycling center
Jessica Whitehouse says
I usually get a lot of samples of shampoo and soap. I reuse the old bottles and refill them. I also use them for holding paint or glue for craft projects.
tina reynolds says
I plan on using finding inspiration from pinterest
Lt says
I drop off my plastics at our local recycling center
laurie says
we recycle bottles, can and newspapers and cardboard
Trisha McKee says
I reuse my plastic bottles