FYI


Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Plastic Milkbottle Recycling


Yoohooooo, I am back. Even if only for a little break between another set of visitors. I was sad to see my last visitors go home, but I used the time to do a little crafts project. This had been sitting at the back of my mind for quite a while, and I am kinda happy with the outcome. - How many bottles of milk do you go through with your family? We drink about 2 litres per day - I find that quite a lot, actually... The milk comes in these translucent 2 litre-plastic bottles in Ireland. So go through seven of them per week. Of course we put them into the recycling waste, but I would much rather make something from them... And I finally came up with a nifty little idea.


Can you see properly what I made? Yes, it is a plastic basket with little handles. But the cool thing is that the handle is big enough to put a plug through and attach it that way against the socket. So this is really a little mobile phone charging station. And here is how I made it:

Take a plastic milk bottle - or other plastic container that is reasonable easy to cut with scissors. A bottle with a rectangular-shape bottom is easiest to use for this project. 

First cut the bottle in half. Make sure you have enough of the bottle left, though, to cut out little handles.

Next determine the size of your plug. The Irish plugs are really strange - hehe, I think so, having grown up with different types of plugs in Germany. They have three bits sticking out, arranged in a sort of triangular shape. Mark the shape of your handles on the plastic, either making a template or freehanding it. 

Now cut out the handles and the rim of the basket. Our bottles are fairly thin plastic, so it was very easy to do that with ordinary kitchen scissors.







Bingo - that's it. You can now push the plug of your mobile phonecharger from the inside of the basket through the handle and plug it into the socket. The handle will keep the basket hanging securely against the wall/socket. Plastic is non-electroconductive, so it is safe to attach it that way. Place your mobile in the charging station, plugged into the charger.


I glammed up my simple charging station with a length of colourful plastic ribbon which I stuck around the rim with glue dots. A matching pink bow and a little heart complete the cute look. The whole thing cost nothing and was done in a few minutes. How much better can it get???

And while I was at it I made another one, trying out the wavy scissors. I just cut the bottle in half and then tied a little ribbon around it. With some Easter grass it is a cute little nest, home to a Lindt chocolate bunny which I am saving for when Lent is over and I am eating chocolate again. Can't wait...




 
Where do you keep your mobile phone? Have trouble finding it in the morning? Well, no more hunting for your mobile. Even when not charging it, this is a handy place to keep your phone! Make one for each member of the family, personalize the charging station with embellishments, initials, ribbons... Can you think of other uses for a milkbottle basket?

Best,

Linking to:
Photobucket


 







DIY Day @ ASPTL



14 comments:

Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com said...

Good idea! I like your bunny basket, too! I need to come up with easter baskets for my sons for Easter, so maybe I will use some milk containers!

Jackie said...

Oh Goodness!!! What a unique idea!!!!

Happy Easter!

Tami said...

I love it. I'm going to do the same thing. I'm tired of phones charging all over the kitchen counter.

Anonymous said...

I am in love with this idea...you know I will have to make this. Thanks so much.
Wendy

Anonymous said...

WOW -- You have once again left me quite speechless -- the things you can do with a pair of scissors, Sonja! Marvelous. Thank you for linking and sharing your milk carton projects with the boardwalk Bragfest!

julie said...

Well what a great idea. I am really impressed and it looks very much a green project. So cute. Stop by and visit sometime...julie

Rachael West said...

*** New follower alert! I just found your blog and love it. I also love that you live in Dublin, my husband and I just visited in November.

Brandy said...

How cute and what a great idea! I love it!
Stopping by from Remodelaholic. Now following.

http://spottedsmiles.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

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Infarrantly Creative said...

Are you kidding me? That is stinkin adorable. I will be featuring in my LOVES links this weekend.

**** April **** said...

I think I just love the idea of using the milk jugs for TOY CONTAINERS! Here in the US it's gallon sizes for us but still... that's got a handle, it's semi translucent and you can easily decorate it with paint pens and/or labels.... I'm pumped! Thanks for the inspiration!

kim west said...

brilliant idea! love it so much!

Angie Holden said...

Very cute and creative!!

Michelle L. said...

That is so cool! I have to make a bunch-o-these! Love the recyled genius.