Don’t just recycle—upcycle! Discover 27 creative empty plastic bottle crafts for bottles of different colours and sizes.
Crafting with old plastic bottles isn’t just child’s play; they’re fun crafts for all ages. With just a few snips, strokes of paint, permanent markers, or twists of paper, empty bottles morph into vibrant home decor, playful toys, and functional art. Our easy plastic bottle craft ideas turn everyday recycling into a treasure trove of possibilities.
In this round-up, I’ll explore the best DIY plastic bottle upcycle ideas, from crafting beautiful plastic bottle flowers to fashioning sleek containers from different plastic bottles, such as an empty soda bottle or laundry detergent bottle.
Every idea reveals how you can craft waste material typically tossed in the bin into versatile and fun creations.
Hold on to those empty water bottles and milk jugs; they’re about to shine as the stars of your next great project. Dive into your recycling bin and uncover the best bottle crafts ready for your discovery!
Unlocking the Potential of Recycled Plastic Bottles: Easy Craft Ideas
Get inspired with different plastic bottles and turn them into unique crafts. Our top 27 easy DIY craft ideas will repurpose your empty bottles differently.
How To Make A Plastic Bottle Faux Succulents Terrarium
How cute are these upcycled mini succulents? There is no danger of killing these plants with kindness by over-watering them. This is a brilliant idea and a water bottle crafts that teens and adults will love.
DIY Wall Pocket Organizers
It's hard to believe these handy pocket organisers were once plastic containers; they are now sophisticated storage wall pockets.
How To Make Cool Marimekko Plastic Bottle Planters
These recycled plastic bottle planters, adorned with Marimekko designs, aren't just stylish – they also feature a self-draining mechanism. I've placed these planters in my kitchen for herb gardens. Their smart drainage design ensures the herbs thrive longer by minimizing the chances of overwatering or underwatering.
Bangles Three Ways
Use a plastic bottle to make three different bangles. One is adorned with a vintage doily, another wrapped in yarn and the third decorated with blanket stitches.
Unique Decoupage DIY Bud Vases
Even the smallest plastic bottles can be turned into beautiful mini bud vases with some paper napkin decoupage.
Christmas Votives
These look lovely illuminated on the mantle and made from plastic water bottles decorated with decoupaged paper. Just make sure you use battery-operated LED candles and not real ones!
Colourful DIY Bottle Organizers
This is a nifty trick: melting the top of cut plastic bottles to get a smooth rim. Use it to make these colourful organizers for your bathroom or craft room.
Water Bottle Flower
Transform the bottom of empty water bottles into beautiful blooms with a snip and a twist, creating an enchanting bouquet of plastic bottle flowers that will add a splash of everlasting colour to any room.
Plastic Bottles Upcycled into Cacti Lights
This is one of my favourite cactus DIY projects; with a little creativity, you can turn old bottles into light-up cacti decorations.
Cute Owl Night Lights
Illuminate your evenings with owl-shaped tea lights crafted from plastic soda bottles, a creative and whimsical upcycling project that casts a cosy glow through intricate patterns. Use battery-operated LED candles only!
Plastic Bottle Craft – Pumpkin Gift Box
These petite Plastic Bottle Pumpkins are perfect for housing Halloween goodies or Thanksgiving party mementoes. Stuff them with miniature toys or candies for delightful presents.
Pimp up the eerie factor by painting a scary Jack-o-Lantern face on the front!
DIY plastic bell jars
Cut off the bottom of a plastic bottle and then use the top as a cloche. It's great fun for making cute decorations and snowglobes.
Upcycled Flower Vases
Paint empty bottles with acrylic paint in various colours and designs to make handy upcycled vases.
DIY Halloween Decorations: 3 Witches and a Cauldron
This is a fun upcycled Halloween decoration, using plastic laundry bottles for the witches' heads.
How to Make a Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder
Craft a haven for your feathered friends by transforming 2-liter bottles into charming bird feeders, a simple and joyful way to repurpose your recyclables into a wildlife-friendly craft.
DIY No-Sew Zipper Case...from Plastic Bottles
Unleash your creativity and practicality by fashioning a sleek zipper case from a plastic bottle, an ingenious and stylish solution for organizing small items with an upcycled twist.
DIY Water Bottle Piggy Banks
Bring a fun twist to saving with a DIY water bottle piggy bank, where you can easily cut, decorate, and repurpose a plastic bottle into a delightful savings tool for kids of all ages.
Plastic Bag Dispensers
Keep your kitchen organized and eco-friendly by upcycling soda bottles into practical plastic bag holders, creating a tidy space to store and dispense bags with ease.
Terrarium DIY: Turn an Old Soda Bottle into a Miniature Rainforest!
Create a miniature ecosystem with a plastic bottle terrarium. This transparent and sustainable craft invites you to build a tiny, thriving world within the walls of a repurposed plastic vessel.
Plastic Bottle Butterflies Recycled Art
Embrace the beauty of butterfly crafts by transforming plastic bottles into delicate, colourful butterflies, perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to any garden or indoor space.
Recycle Plastic Bottles into Replacement Lampshades!
Cast a warm, inviting light in your home with plastic bottle lampshades, where upcycled bottles are artfully cut and assembled to create chic, eco-conscious lighting fixtures.
Make a Cell Phone Holder from a Lotion Bottle
Craft a convenient charging nook for your cell phone by repurposing a lotion bottle into a sleek holder that cradles your device securely against the wall as it powers up.
Plastic Pen Pots
Add a cosy, handmade touch to your desk with decorative pencil pots from plastic bottles featuring charming stitched yarn borders for a crafty, personalized look.
Plastic Bottle Apple
Craft a delightful set of plastic bottle apples, perfect for an autumn display or a teacher's desk, by cleverly repurposing bottles into these iconic, shiny red fruits.
Hanging Plastic Bottle Planter
Create a vertical green oasis with hanging plastic bottle planters, where upcycled bottles are transformed into suspended gardens, ideal for small spaces and urban balconies.
Modern Bottle Light
Cut up green water bottles to assemble an eclectic, verdant chandelier with an adventurous twist to your decor.
From Trash to Glam
Transform coloured plastic bottles into a bold, chunky necklace for a striking fashion statement that's as stylish as it is sustainable.
DIY Cute Plastic Bottle Planters -Repurposing with Love
These Valentine's Day planters, crafted from recycled bottles, feature eye-catching Marimekko patterns. Their bold designs bring a modern and playful flair to these eco-friendly creations.
Embroidered Paper Vase Tutorial
Turn any plastic bottle into a fun vase with an embroidered paper sleeve.
Other Related Upcycling Crafts
Plastic bottles featured under P in the A to Z of clever upcycling resources.
Explore the household items that can be turned into fun creations to check out wine bottle crafts, upcycled wine corks and these cool tin can crafts.
If you particularly like working with plastic, then look at these Shrinky Dink ideas and other awesome adult craft ideas.
Theresa
Monday 11th of November 2024
Do you know of any ideas for the Downy scent booster bottles? It seems like they would be perfect for a craft but I can’t think of any.
Claire Armstrong
Thursday 14th of November 2024
I'm not familiar with that brand. I've just googled and there seems to be lots of different shaped plastic bottles with Downy so I'm not sure what to suggest.
Susan Sikes
Wednesday 8th of November 2023
Great ideas!!
Claire Armstrong
Wednesday 8th of November 2023
Thank you, plastic bottles are a great crafting resource.