Posts tagged: plastic
8 Alternative Uses for Plastic Wrap.
By Chrisjob
Plastic wrap, cellophane, Saran Wrap, cling wrap... whatever you call it, this just-a-bit-too-sticky surface does what it does - sealing food in containers to keep it fresh - and does it well. Turns out, there's at least eight other things it can do, as well, and they've been compiled thusly by Diane Rixon at DIYLife.
- Salvage corked wine
- Preserve paint and spackles
- Pack silverware
- Get a non-slip grip
- Banish frizzies
- Keep ice cream fresh
- Seal » READ MORE
The Trash Temple.
By ChrisjobBuddy, if we'd had one of these on the playground when I was a kid, "King of the Hill" would have been a whole different experience.
This ziggurat of zaniness was created by Salzig Design, a graphic and industrial design firm. It was built in Heijplaat, an old neighborhood in Rotterdam, and made from 100 tons of plastic bottle bales.
Via TreeHugger.
One Year Ago On Curbly: Upcycled Tater Tots Vest
By ModHomeEcTeacher
It's been an entire year since I posted the Tater Tots vest and hat project. Now that everyone's upcycling, reusing and recycling plastic bags routinely, I thought a re-run may inspire some » READ MORE
Fabric that "Melts" in Water
By DIY Maven
Two professors--one of fashion, the other of science--teamed up to fabricate melting fabric which was then used to make high-end couture-type togs. The dresses are part of a UK touring fashion exhibit entitled 'Wonderland'. The dresses, made of a polymer, are dipped into vessels of water and left to 'melt' into a gel-like substance that can be used to germinate seeds.
Staggering Plastic Water Bottle Facts
By DIY Maven
So we all know that plastic water bottles are bad for the environment, and that’s enough to eschew their usage. However, if you ever needed more specificity to punt the plastic, Green Upgrader has ‘em.
Did you know......
....that plastic bottles take 700 years to even begin composting?
Or that 90% of the cost of the bottle water is due to the bottle itself??
Or that 80% of all plastic bottles used aren’t recycled?
Or that 38 million » READ MORE
Recycled Plastic Bag Chair
By DIY Maven
South African designer Ryan Frank was inspired by a South African crafted chicken ornament when creating this chair. Named 'Inkuku', which is Zulu for chicken, the chair is 'made entirely from plastic shopping bags combining traditional craft techniques and recycled material.' The structure is made of recycled aluminum as well. To see more of Ryan's designs, visit his website. Via.
Chicken ornament inspiration:
Plastic Bottle Chandelier
By diyasian
I saw this beautiful chandelier in Inhabitat website. it is so cool and seems very DIY-able. i have many creative juices flowing and i thought probably the curbly ppl would be interested as well. though i wonder, what she did with the rest of the bottle :)
cheers
http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/10/01/london-design-festival-08-michelle-brands-plastic-bottle-chandelier/
recycled lunchbag
By kellyw
hello all. this is my first post, and I figured I'd jump right in with a project.
The backstory is kind of long and boring, but the upshot is that I don't have the perfect workbag to fit all my equipment and my packed lunch. Plus, I shouldn't really put fancy audio equipment in the same bag with yogurt and potentially leaky Tupperware (even though I have ignored this logic and tempted fate many a time). So I've been on the lookout for a lu » READ MORE
Another Recycled Plastic Bottle Lamp.
By ChrisjobThe Howell sisters of THIS Gallery have created a unique entry into the drinkware/light category: THIS LIGHT is created from 50ish plastic beverage bottles, hardened with a fusion process that makes the lamp more durable and look, well, less like a buncha plastic beverage bottles. And if you send them three cases of plastic bottles, they'll knock a hundo off the price tag.
Creative Ways to Reuse "Disposable" Items.
By Chrisjob
Lifehacker users have compiled a list of creative uses to recycle your disposables, namely those that cannot be recycled in obvious ways. They include old standbys like the CD spindle bagel holder and placing fabric softener sheets in drawers to keep your clothes smelling fresh, but also some clever tips for yogurt containers, wine corks, bum CD-rs, and a link to a great Flickr group entitled, "How Can I Recycle This?"
- CDs/DVDs and their cases » READ MORE
Melted Toy Soldier Bowl.
By ChrisjobDesigner Thorsten Van Elten created the 44" diameter "War Bowl" from melted plastic soliders. The $225 price tag warrants a DIY attempt: perhaps you could warm the army men in the oven, then flip the softened sheet onto a large bowl for formation? Thanks, BLTD!
DIY Eco Bags
By intouchozA simple to make Eco Bag (DIY) can be made from hessian/jute or heavy cotton or an old flour bag or recycle your grandmothers old quilt or your designer jeans. The bags can be used to carry books, vegies, craft work, (baby kangaroo's!), or just about anything you can think of.
Shopping bags create an insa » READ MORE
Drastic Plastic!
By beccajoListening to "The Story" on MPR last week, I heard the host Dick Gordon interview a woman from Chicago named Joanne about her rather unusal (and yet very green) new year's resolution-to not purchase anything made from or wrapped in plastic. Her story is the second one in the show-you can skip over the Nigerian e-mail scammer story if you want.
Although it's still very early in the year, she has come up with some very interesting solutions to th » READ MORE
19 Alternative Uses and Ways to Recycle Plastic Shopping Bags.
By ChrisjobEven if you've already made the move to reusable bags when grocery shopping, you still seem to gather a collection from short trips to the pharmacy, hardware store, etc.
Here's ninetine other options to put them to good reuse.
- As bathroom trash bags.
- Store soiled diapers
- Store glasses and containers that are apt to spill, such as children's sippy cups.
- Collect trash in the car.
- As packaging material.
- Store wet bathing suits and towels...
35+ Uses for Used Plastic Milk Jugs
By DIY Maven
Marion Owen has amassed a list of clever uses for used plastic milk jugs in an effort to keep them out of landfills. Here are some of her suggestions:
- Bird Feeders
- Scoops (½ gallon jugs work particularly well for these)
- Swimming Floaters
- Weights
- Potted Plant Bases
- Luminaries
- Organizers
- Funnels
- Poor Man’s Blenders
- Toilet Brush Holders
- Jack-o-Lanterns
- Piggy Banks
For detailed instructions on making these and other projects, check out this page.
Plastic Dreams
By erinloechner
Love this chair from cutting-edge designer, Aaron Thomas. Check out his work here!
Eco-Friendly Furniture
By DIY Maven
Companies such as Poly-Wood and California Outdoor Design Studio make plastic furniture. But not just ANY plastic furniture. This stuff is beautiful AND it’s constructed out of recycled High Density Polyethylene. What’s HDPE? Think Tupperware and milk cartons and such. Because of it’s durability, HDPE furniture is low maintenance. Although it looks like wood, it never needs painting, staining or sealing and cleans up with soap and water. Like all » READ MORE
How To Make a Plastic Bag Keeper
By DIY Maven
In an effort to reduce and reuse plastic bags, how about making a plastic bag keeper? Chances are you already have everything you need to make one for free. Or you can buy one at The Container Store for 4.99 plus 6.50 s & h. Your choice.
The Props
- A 2 quart plastic bottle (I used a Juicy Juice bottle, which worked particularly well.)
- Box cutter and/or scissors
- Sharpie
- Durable tape
- Excess plastic bags
The Procedure
Mark your bottle on top and bottom as s » READ MORE
Rag rug love!
By badbadivy
I love rag rugs. Maybe it's my Hoosier upbringing, but rag rugs speak to me of home. You can use them just about anywhere and they're cheap as heck. You can also throw them in the washingmachine and wash them when they get dirty. Yep, rag rugs are the shizzy.
So, imagine my joy when I ran across this website with step-by-step instructions with photos on how to make your own rag rugs! The instructions are great, and you don't even need any » READ MORE
Trash to Treasure:Heath Nash
By beccajo
South African artist/designer Heath Nash takes recycling to a new level!
These lamps are gorgeous, but I can't seem to find a distributor in the US of his work.
How weird would it be to ship repurposed garbage from South Africa over to Minnesota? There's enough loose plastic floating around the US already. I do appreciate that he uses local artizans, and they make them 'by hand'. I'm sure they recycle the waste bits, but still, recycling isn't » READ MORE
