The Best Ways to Reuse and Recycle Plastic Bottles and Save Money

Scrolling through Hubpages answers/questions looking for that one that reached out and grabbed me saying, "This is it, pick me,pick me" , I came across a question Lobobrandon posted entitled "What are the Best Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles" and all I could think of was "And away we go".

Being there are some incredible hubs and articles out there already on this subject, I tried to give you some ideas that are a little different and when used with something else could save you some money.

And were off and running

If your a coffee drinker in the morning and would love to have an iced coffee, frappuccino, mocha or caramel from the drive thru for that afternoon pick me up, but really want to save the money. Here's your answer and I promise you will love it.

As you can see in the pictures you simply combine the coffee and creamer in the bottle then stick it in the freezer for about an hour, (makes the consistency just like the high dollar pros). If you have not tried International Delight Coldstone creamer you are so missing the ultimate iced or regular coffee. I tried it once and have used nothing else since and that was months ago. You can add caramel, vanilla extract, chocolate, etc, according to what you like and adjust to taste.

If the kids are always bugging you about money for a juice, (really soda for some) or something different to drink for lunch put it in the bottle and freeze it. You can even make fruit smoothies and freeze them. If they're a die hard soda fan but your tired of them spending the money from the machine. Take the $1.50 or what ever it cost for a 2 liter bottle, put some soda in one of your empty water bottles and again stick in the freezer for about an hour or so. If you let it freeze solid, the soda when thawed will probably get flat quickly just so you know (not that it has happened to me or anything:)).

There are a couple of other advantages to both of these 1) If you take your lunch you can use the almost frozen bottle to keep your lunch nice and cool, 2) Take the money you were going to use for the treats and reward yourself and the kids if they're helping. It will keep you saving (after you've tried the iced coffee you won't want anything else anyway) and show the kids the benefits and rewards of recycling.

If you or your other half do any projecting, woodworking, crafting, sewing, etc., it can be a "Where is this and where did I put that," nightmare. Trust me I've been there on I can't tell you how many occasions. The worst part is sometimes it gets so frustrating you just give up and quit. Then what about all those extra beads, screws, washers, buttons, Ahhhhhhhh

So here's an easy way to get organized that won't have you paying bundles for sewing boxes, tool boxes, etc. It doesn't take hardly anytime at all, and saves you TIME and MONEY.

Take all your nails, screws, washers, screwdrivers, etc, (sewing or craft materials) and gather them all together, grab your bottles and start funneling. This works better with the bigger 20 oz bottles because they are easier to get in and out of the bottle. You can mark the bottle with a permanent marker or even go as far as I did and tape one to the top of the bottle. If it's washers, nuts, and bolts I use my empty coconut oil containers, label them, and tape one on the top. That's it your good to go and organized. Hint If you keep pvc glue or any other glues around put them in one of the bigger plastic containers with a tight fitting lid and they will last so much longer because they won't dry out. If you have children that craft or you use little bottles of paint for models etc., it works the same way. The empty coconut oil containers work great for them.

Use the cardboard bottom and plastic to put them in and label the front as to whether it's screws, nails, misc, etc. You can do this with all your sewing materials, crafting materials, etc.

You will be amazed at the little time it takes, opposed to the enormous amount of time it saves

Getting ready for a project and don't want to take the whole box with you, Just grab the few bottles and tools you need, put them in your DIY recycled jean tool bag and your off. Don't have a jean tool bag yet, just click on the highlighted tool bag and your on your way to your first organized project.

Hey, my horse likes it.

1) Paint Have a little leftover paint? Don't throw it away, if it's space your worried about store it in an empty bottle or clean oil container. When your ready for a different look on your painted wall pour a little of two colors on different sides of the cardboard container the water came in (with the plastic in it) grab your roller and have at it. This is a lot cheaper than paying all the money for the dual roller, dual pan, new paint books on antique painting sponging, etc and you've got an incredible new look for the money you've already spent anyway. You know the colors will match so just keep going until you get what you like. (pic 1 for me) Hint, let it dry a little before you go crazy remember the colors will usually lighten or darken as they dry and you can always adjust to your liking.

2) Individual Jello or Frozen Treats Cut the bottom off of the water bottles and use them for everything from organizing your jewelry box, making a tray full of individual fruit and jello treats or desserts, make unique colored ice for special occasions of frozen treats that pop out easily. Use them to start seedlings, in craft drawers, etc., etc

3) Dog Toys Take the top and cut off the plastic ring (great for keeping hoop earrings together) and the label, put a sock (with no mate) on it with a knot at the end and the dogs have a new toy DO NOT GIVE IT TO YOUR DOG WITHOUT THE SOCK they might cut themselves on the rough plastic Dogs love the crackling noise the empty bottles make. Shoot they even sell the covers for them now for ten to twenty bucks. If you don't want to use the sock use the whole bottle with the ring and label cut off. My dogs absolutely love them (as you can tell) and never tear them they just chew them until they have no more crackle. In fact if I drop and empty I don't have to worry about picking it up because it will be gone before I can bend over to pick it up.

OK, that's enough to get you started and let me know what you think.