Extraordinary Uses for Water Bottles

Water bottles accumulate quickly, even if you are environmentally conscious and attempt to use reusable containers. Recycling plastic water bottles is not the best solution if you can find practical and helpful ways to reuse them. Most plastic bottles can be used for years before needing to be recycled.

Slow Release Waterer

• Poke a pin hole in the bottom of your water bottle -- the smaller the better. Fill it with water just as you're about to leave on a three- to four-day trip and place the bottle in the flower pot, with the pin hole on the bottom. The water will slowly release into the soil, while the size of the hole ensures that the plant does not drown.

Ice Packs

• Empty plastic bottles make an easy, no-leak ice pack for picnics and coolers. Fill your plastic bottles up with ice cubes and throw them into a basket or cooler to keep your food fresh. Eliminates clean-up time for coolers.

Piggy Bank

• Store coins in a plastic bottle until you're ready to use them. The best thing about a plastic bottle piggy bank is that you don't have to break it to get the coins out, making it endlessly reusable. Decorate the bottle if you feel like being creative.

Insect Trap

• Dangerous insects, such as wasps, can be attracted into your plastic bottle and trapped. Cut the bottom of the bottle out, invert it, and tape it back in place. Burn a small hole in the center. Uncap the bottle and put a sweet substance in the bottom of the cap, such as a simple syrup. Insects can fly in but not out.

Mini Greenhouse

• For plants that are sensitive to extreme weather, creating a mini greenhouse with a plastic bottle can protect the plant until it is strong enough to support itself. Cut the base out of a plastic soft drink bottle. Take the cap off. Place the bottle over the plant, and push soil up around the sides firmly to root it in place. Do the same for plants in a flower pot, but be careful not to damage roots when you push the bottle into the soil.