Six projects to do with plastic bottles and jugs
By David J. BrooksFrom the September 2008 issue of Boys' Life magazine
Recycle empty bottles and jugs into these fun and useful projects.
1. Ten-Minute Bird Feeder
Cut four holes two inches from the bottom on each side of a half-gallon milk jug. Below each hole, make a small hole and poke dowels or sticks through the feeder. Ask an adult to drill a small hole in the cap.
Attach a string or metal coat hanger, fill with birdseed and hang it up.
2. Self-Watering Planter
Cut the top third off a two-liter plastic bottle. Ask an adult to drill a small hole in the cap. Pass a string through the hole. Fill the bottom of the bottle about half way with water. Place the top upside-down in the bottom and put in your plant. The string will wick up the water into the soil.
3. Ball Toss Game
Cut the bottoms off two one-gallon milk jugs. Make a ball from rolled-up
plastic grocery bags and tape. Enjoy a game of catch.
4. Quicker Berry Picker
Cut a hand-size hole opposite the handle on a one-gallon milk jug. Slide the handle onto your belt. You’re ready to pick and hold more berries.
5. Flying Saucers
Cut the bottom from a milk jug about three inches high. Cut three or four three-inch circles from the upper part of the jug. Try to sail the disks into the milk-jug bottom.
6. Garden Scoop or Boat Bailer
Cut a one-gallon milk jug at an angle as shown. This is great for spreading compost or removing water from a boat.
Does anyone know how to make a sculpture of a flying bird out of a two litre plastic milk bottle? I’m trying but haven’t got it right yet. it looks like a flying swan at the moment!
great tips and work very well
cool ideas for the bird feeders
awesome ideas. this was a BIG HELP!
i like the self watering plant!
Simple tips but great ideas!!!
cool i’ll try most of them.
awsome dude
I think almost everyone was to simple except the self-watering plant
I would love to see how to make a robot. How about electricity projects?!
For the self-watering planter, it may be useful to know some of these tips.
1) use COTTON string. plastic stuff won’t work.
2) use about 5 strings. one string will not bring anough water to the plant.
3) use soil made for seed starting or potting. regualr soil from the garden will compress and become some what like concrete (not good)
4) once in a while, take apart the planter and wash the water resvoir and strings.
the best of luck
these are all eally cool and i think i might try some. these projects are becoming really fun for me and my family!!!