Plastic Bottle Plethera

The bounty of plastic bottles is outrageously high, especially when I am at home it seems. In the area I grew up in there is terrible water. If you go not much further out most of it is well based. While this is not an excuse and it is certainly not applicable to every area- many people use bottled water for their own justifiable reasons. Whether or not you or I agree doesn't matter. However, one thing is for certain- they need to stay out of our landfills. Here are some things I have found that can contribute to the cause:

Things to Do with a Plastic Bottle

1. Cut off the top, fill with potting soil and plants.
2. Using small water or pop bottles, fill one or two at most with gravel or rocks. Replace the cap on the bottle tightly. Place the bottles in the upper portion of your bathroom toilet to displace the water. You will not only recycle the plastic bottles but cut down on how much water is used each time your toilet is flushed! Do not use dirt or sand in case the bottle breaks open though-you will be cleaning it out for weeks!
3. Flashback to 7th grade and play spin the bottle
4. Place a small pop or water bottle in the freezer half full of water or juice. The next day, fill it with the same liquid and you have an ice cold drink for morning and afternoon. It also doubles as an ice pack for lunch boxes without taking up more space.
5. Keep recycling. Many items are now made from recycled water bottles! T-shirts, sleeping bags, and more are included in this list. Don't stop now!
6. If you work with kids there are some pretty cool science experiments and crafts that you can do with them or for them that include re-using plastic bottles such as oceans in a bottle with oil, water, and food coloring.
7. Modern artists have found ways to make a name for themselves by re-using plastic bottles, will you? Check out a chandelier made from bottle bottoms: http://www.treehugger.com/stuart-haygarth-recycled-bottle-drop2.jpg
8. If you have a dog there are these great toys that you can find almost anywhere that are fun shapes or animals that you cover a plastic bottle with. It makes it safe for your pet to play and chew on that crunchy noisy bottle. Recycle it when it's been decimated by your dog's chomping abilities.
9. If you need a funnel in a jiffy, cut the bottom off and remove the cap. Voila! Funnel in a flash!
10. Make a birdhouse by covering it with paint or fabric (try sanding the bottle first to get the paint to stick). Cut a hole high up on the side and hang in a tree.

Readers: Do you purchase bottled water?