BL Workshop

Six projects to do with plastic bottles and jugs




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.

Comments about “Six projects to do with plastic bottles and jugs”

  1. aginj says:

    thanks for the tips on the self-watering planter it really helps

  2. Tessa says:

    I cut a circle in the side of a gallon milk jug and use it to stuff plastic grocery bags in. Makes for a great dispenser with no messy bags everywhere.

  3. Catherine G says:

    We cut part of the side off of a milk jug to store a plunger in behind the toilet. Catches and drips & keeps the floor clean.

  4. neptunejag says:

    im doing the birdfeeder next meeting

  5. PJ says:

    You can cut a bottle to hang on the faucet of a five gallon drink cooler to catch the drips.

  6. The Major says:

    If you get a broomstick and two 1 gallon milk jugs and tape the jugs to either side of the broomstick and then fill them with water you get a bench press

  7. Justin C. (Micky7c) says:

    Using 2 big plastic storage containers, And adding 16 players and 16 “ball toss” toys, yuo can have a competitive game with 2 teams and the containers as goals.

  8. tony b says:

    I made the bird feeder using a one galon jug. The birds love it.

  9. why so serious says:

    the self watering plant idea is really awesome…thanks

    • Anonymous says:

      love, love the self watering planter idea… Won’t have to worry about my plants when I’m gone for a week or two…

  10. starter cub says:

    MY MOM WILL LOVE THE SELF PLANTER!!!

  11. scoutkid says:

    this is neat! :)

  12. Bemostein says:

    I likey

  13. bass man says:

    last four are strange

  14. 32lol says:

    lol hf (laugh out loud) (have fun)

  15. Crafter says:

    any more ideas??

  16. Scouter says:

    Simple things can still be cool

  17. garden furnisher says:

    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!

  18. cindy says:

    great tips and work very well

  19. nick says:

    cool ideas for the bird feeders

  20. Anonymous says:

    awesome ideas. this was a BIG HELP!

  21. natitonic says:

    i like the self watering plant!

  22. stop smoking plan says:

    Simple tips but great ideas!!!

  23. spyscout123 says:

    cool i’ll try most of them.

  24. the man says:

    awsome dude

  25. Battleaxe dude says:

    I think almost everyone was to simple except the self-watering plant

  26. Tractorman says:

    I would love to see how to make a robot. How about electricity projects?!

  27. frosh says:

    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

  28. environman says:

    these are all eally cool and i think i might try some. these projects are becoming really fun for me and my family!!!

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