Your plastic water bottles deserve more.
Do you know how much plastic waste the U.S. generates each year?
33 million tons, according to the EPA, from a 2013 analysis.
If that's not sobering enough, over 90% of these plastics meet their final resting place in landfills, meaning they'll never be recycled.
However, I'm not here to depress you with statistics.
I'd like to introduce you to the born-again plastic bottles that are recycled.
The ones that are hiding in plain sight, as opposed to the ones that are out-of-sight, out-of mind at your local garbage dump.
The ones that found a higher calling thanks to your decision to throw them away in the blue or green bins, as opposed to the black ones.
The recycled plastic bottles that are just begging you to rediscover them in their newfound glory.
1. Cozy Patagonia fleece
Check out all their recycled plastic products here.
Patagonia #Synchilla Snap-T Hoody Made from recycled plastics to defeat the elements http://t.co/XlfxvQ5AXT http://pic.twitter.com/lrHsUzpCDk— wellgosh (@wellgosh) August 24, 2015
2. Winter jackets, too!
Sleek fit, 100% recycled and warm as hell. Ecoalf for him & her. http://t.co/JL9RmUHfcG & http://t.co/w7XJMgQgyz http://pic.twitter.com/nVIVf1oVXy— ZADY (@Zady) October 24, 2013
3. Check it out: Luxury bedsheets designed by will.i.am
Staying w/ @WHotels soon? Sleep well in @EKOCYCLE sheets made from recycled plastic bottles: http://t.co/h0FCOLiX5S http://pic.twitter.com/qeaQhLroRZ— The Coca-Cola Co. (@CocaColaCo) April 18, 2015
4. Plastic bottle denim jeans by a company called Dirtball? Sign me up.
A+ business name, guys.
Dirtball
5. You can also root for your favorite NFL team in these plastic bottle football jerseys.
Detriot @Lions are wearing jerseys made out of recycled plastic water bottles? Wow. - TBJ http://t.co/J93y6EYDOi http://pic.twitter.com/ujyAqEoG2u— Owen Covington (@TriadBizOwen) August 9, 2015
6. Do yoga (or just be comfy) in these plastic bottle yoga pants.
Namaste, plastic bottles. Namaste.
Wednesday yoga 💖 🌸 RE3 ♻️ creates fashion from Recycled Reformed Revived Plastic Bottles 🌿 #sandiego #yogateacher http://pic.twitter.com/M2hrBJYMOl— RE3 (@re3life) September 17, 2015
7. You could also look fly in these New Balance NewSky sneakers.
I love my new sneakers made entirely of recycled plastic. They look sweet and are incredibly comfy. I love New Balance. http://pic.twitter.com/2oIQLlTu— Krod Sketches (@peetsketches) May 4, 2012
8. Plastic bottle UNDERWEAR
Inspired by
9. Designer handbags, backpacks, and luggage by Matt & Nat
Even the inside liner is made from plastic bottles!
The canvas collection is now live!! made of 100% recycled bottles. shop the collection here data-verified="redactor" data-verified=
10. Red (or green?) carpet fashion
But like, what plastic bottle wouldn't want to end up with Colin Firth and his wife, Livia?
Livia Firth
11. Plastic bottles can also strut their stuff on the runway.
Work it, plastic bottles. Work. It. Out.
@recycle_now #hautecouture made of #recycled plastic bottles from Amsterdam Fashion Week http://t.co/ZDVtsy3UIS http://pic.twitter.com/95e5iBqmr3— Waste2Wear (@Waste2Wear) July 13, 2015
12. Pet beds!
GOOD BOY. YOU ARE SUCH A GOOD BOY.
"Wait one doggone minute - I
13. And pet toys, too!
Do I have something in my teeth? #TellMeTheTruth Tasty Eggplant #dogtoys now available - http://t.co/hUKlemtvGH http://pic.twitter.com/7nYhFHsLvx— P.L.A.Y. (@petplaysf) September 14, 2015
14. You've probably walked on a plastic bottle rug.
And, hey! These are affordable.
RT @worldmarket: Save up to 50% on all Recycled Plastic Bottle Rugs. http://t.co/eiPgpSfHgq http://pic.twitter.com/sFNeqisVYk http://t.co/KyNqNFNpLk— Branddee.com Deals (@BranddeeDotCom) June 27, 2015
15. Plastic bottles can also get a second chance with these "B2P" pens by Pilot.
Next time you're ready to restock, consider these bad boys.
Taking care of Earth
16. Rainy day? Try a plastic bottle umbrella.
A rainy morning in #London. Win a beautiful Wayne Hemingway designed umbrella made from #recycled Coca Cola bottles http://t.co/iupPUS0o— Recycle for London (@Recycle_London) September 21, 2011
17. You probably want to buy this awesome bat backpack.
For kids or adults? I'll let you decide. They also come in pink bunnies, purple owls, penguins with ties, and more.
This @AppleParkKids pack is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles! And it
18. Or this pink dump truck.
*adds to Christmas list*
Play Vehicle Toys Dump Truck Moveable Toy safety Pink from 100% recycled plastic http://t.co/DCxvta4hcs http://pic.twitter.com/Pe37OxY95h— extremely good revie (@cazaresambrosi4) August 29, 2015
19. Be fancy with a fancy plastic bottle chandelier!
Art meets #conservation with recycled plastic bottle chandelier @UnionMarketDC http://pic.twitter.com/kZE9jjDikU— Gina Schrader (@ginamschrader) September 8, 2015
20. Stare in awe at some ridiculously creative plastic bottle artwork.
Cool recycled PET plastic bottle plant sculptures by Veronika Richterová http://t.co/Yx3AO312wj http://pic.twitter.com/GJ1I2E06zW— idePoP Design (@idepop_design) April 17, 2015
Thought this was a very creative use of recycled waste from the ocean. 70k plastic bottles @projectaware #bristol http://pic.twitter.com/HBt7oowmgI— JC Scuba, Swindon (@JCScubaSwindon) August 10, 2015
21. And don't forget to check out this artwork ... made with plastic bottle "paint."
SO COOL.
The #artist who 'paints' w/ recycled plastic - Mbongeni Buthelezi, #SouthAfrica #art http://t.co/exp6UB62PE http://pic.twitter.com/fXkLMRyX58— Larry
22. You can even make an entire HOUSE from plastic bottles.
Recycled Plastic Bottle House Built in Nigeria! Can we replicate and give to those homeless.. http://pic.twitter.com/imJ2MKsmxe— Sir (@CriminalSingh) September 14, 2015
So sick! Building a house made w recycled plastic bottles... 😍😍 #nicaragua #recycle http://pic.twitter.com/C0tapnKFUF— Julia Veli (@juliaveli) August 22, 2015
23. A bus stop?! Yeah, a bus stop.
The shelter in #Kentucky uses recycled bottles and is completely #solar-powered. #CleanEnergy http://t.co/6s34ZfTLJJ http://pic.twitter.com/Qz4XisbKLf— Amazing Urbanity (@AmazingUrbanity) June 12, 2015
24. These people are riding solar-powered recycled-plastic-bottle BOATS.
Touring Copenhagen in solar powered electric boat made from old bottles before @indexaward http://t.co/7QairPn01p http://pic.twitter.com/vXrDuFcrnv— CalgaryisGreen (@calgaryisgreen) September 1, 2015
25. The roads of the future are paved in plastic bottles!
That water bottle you drank could be turned into a road. http://t.co/ltnPreCiUW http://pic.twitter.com/alDI1qaBM5— Backboard (@backboard_me) July 25, 2015
26. No big deal, just a man-made island here.
Heard of an island made of plastic bottles off the coast of #IslaMujeres #Mexico? #MexMonday http://t.co/zW0NnwwZ6U http://pic.twitter.com/75b3EyACqv— Amstar dmc (@amstardmc) September 7, 2015
27. Or, you know, 1.5 million bottles could get you AN ENTIRE FREAKING BUILDING.
Learn more about the EcoARK in Taipei, Taiwan, here.
Built with 1.5 million recycled plastic bottles, Taipei
See? It's an absolute crime to send plastic water bottles to the dump when there's so much potential awaiting them elsewhere. Not to mention each ton of recycled plastic saves over 16 barrels of oil since it requires less energy to produce than new plastic.
And remember: Recycling is only one part of the "reduce, reuse, recycle" mantra. Reducing (or even eliminating) your consumption of plastics, in addition to coming up with your own fancy DIY uses for milk jugs and water bottles is even better for the environment, if you're willing to make the lifestyle change.
Recycle on, friends!
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