Innovative Recycling (or ... what to do with those things you don't know what to do with)

by Dana Tjosvold

This column is dedicated to the recycling concept of re-use. No, I won't tell you to go build a compost pile or search the park trash bins for aluminum cans (although, those are worthy ideas). What I do offer are fun ideas and new ways to look at old things.

This month's idea: What can be done with those plastic pop bottles?

Pop Bottles

Wind Socks - Cut the top and bottom off of a two-liter bottle to form a cylinder. Punch four holes (with a hole punch) spaced evenly on the top edge. Tie a 12" piece of fishing line to each hole. Attach all four to a large swivel snap used in fishing. If you don't have a swivel snap, you can just tie the four strings together at the free ends. Sand the bottle (to rough up the plastic so that paints will stick) and paint with any design you wish. When dry, punch holes every inch around the bottom. Tie a three-foot piece of ribbon in each hole. Vary your colors or make them all the same. Hang up and enjoy.

Make a Bird House - Turn the bottle on its side. Cut little windows/doors high up on the sides. Paint (sand first) or cover the bottle with fabric. Hang from tree branches for birds to nest in. You might want to recycle some fabric or yarn scraps by putting them in the bird house for nest building. What bird wouldn't like to have the most stylish place in the tree? Remember too that birds are attracted to bright colors.

Yarn Holder - Keep yarn from getting tangled when knitting or crocheting. Cut off bottom of bottle and insert yarn, pulling strand through top opening then tape the bottom back on. This will keep your yarn from rolling across the room on you and your cat from playing with it. This tip also works for curling ribbon used for wrapping presents.

Pop Bottle Bird Feeder - Sand and paint the bottle. Poke four holes in the top of the bottle, just below the lid. Insert two long pieces of wire - the wires will form an "X." Attach the ends of the wire to a plastic lid by poking holes in the rim and twisting the wire through. Poke two more holes in the bottom of the bottle, on opposite sides. String another piece of wire or string through these holes to hang the feeder. Fill the bottle with the seed and hang it from a tree. (NOTE: You might be able to find a kit at K-Mart, Target, or your garden center that contains the adapter to convert bottle to bird feeders. Usually quite cheap!)

Plant/Seed starter - Cut off bottom fill with soil, add seed and water. Reattach the top of the bottle (with the cap on) using tape. Keep in a warm place and wait for seeds to germinate. When your seedlings are tall enough, transplant in a larger pot or in your garden. This starter allows room for plants to grow tall enough to become well-established before transplanting outdoors. You can also make a mini-terrarium this way for indoors.

Make a Doorstop - Paint and fill with sand or gravel. Glue strips of narrow wood to the sides so it won't roll away.

Plant Decorations - Take a clear bottle and draw the shape of a butterfly or bird, or any small animal. Cut around the shape, sand and paint with acrylic paint. Cut out shapes and attach to a piece of dowel with glue. Poke into the soil of your potted plants or in the garden for yard decorations.

Make a Bank - Paint (remember to sand first) or cover with fabric. Cut a small slit in the top so you can drop the coins in. (You'll have to cut the bottle open to remove the coins, unless you want to cut a three-sided doorway in the back or bottom.)

Make a Mobile - Cut out shapes (see above) and poke a small hole in the top. Poke a piece of string or yarn through the hole and tie a knot. Attach the other end of the string to a hanger and hang from the ceiling or ceiling fan.

Plant Waterer/Funnel - Remove the cap and the bottom of the bottle. Turn the bottle upside down, and set the spout into the ground or pot. Fill with water and this will allow your plants to be watered when you are going to be away for a few days.

Recycling can be done in a variety of ways. Reusing is a fun, creative and inexpensive way to spend time with your children while teaching them respect for the environment.

Dana Tjosvold is the single mother of 3 yr. old Cameron. A technologist by profession, she is always creative and searching for "new and improved" ways of living life to its fullest on a budget!

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