Re-Using Plastic Containers

[Cabbagelover]

How do you re-use all those plastic containers and plastic bottles that seem to be a part of life nowadays?

The plastic boxes that mushrooms are sold in I have put to one side for starting seeds off in. But what else can we use them all for?

[kirsty b]

Plastic bottles cut in half make handy cloches. just the right size for covering pots.
Could also be used to cover the ends of canes to prevent pokes in the eyes.

[jlottie]

I've been saving the plastic containers from liqui tabs (liquid soap balls for laundry/dishwashers) as I reckon they will make great little window sill propogators and even better I can fit in 2 books of medium root trainers

[Rosemary]

Make a slug beer trap out of plastic bottles. Cut off the bottom third of the bottle and cut out sections so it looks like the top of castle turrets (which according to Wikipedia are called Crenellations). Sink the plastic bottle into the ground so the sections you cut out are level with the ground. Fill with cheap beer and put a plate on the top. The slugs go through the sections after the beer and the plate stops wild life falling in.

[Fifi la Flouffles]

If you share your land with moles, cut a 2 litre bottle in half, then stick the thin end down the mole hill and push down. It will make a spooky noise as the wind passes over the cut end and moles don't like noise.

(dog poo pushed down mole hills is also quite effective. Easier to do when it's frozen! I had to lower the tone didn't I??!!)

[stanhol]

I cut up my plastic milk cartons and use a permanent marker for plant labels.

Sandra

[edward81]

How do you re-use all those plastic containers and plastic bottles that seem to be a part of life nowadays?
The plastic boxes that mushrooms are sold in I have put to one side for starting seeds off in. But what else can we use them all for?

In my opinion all those plastic containers and plastic bottles can be used in many forms in the decoration, house or other types of recycling.

Edward

[Dogstar]

I use margarine pots for sowing all my seeds (after piercing a few holes in the base). The lids can be cut into labels shapes and used to label the pots as you pot up the seedlings.

Plastic water bottles are useful in the greenhouse for watering. Pierce a hole (about 5mm) in the side about 1cm from the base. Cover it with your finger when you fill up through the top, then screw the lid on tight. Stand it upright in the tray which is under your pots and the bottle will release water every time the water level in the tray drops below the hole. It's particilarly useful during summer when things can dry out during the day when you're not around.
Dogstar

[john boy]

Thats a very good tip dogstar,ill try it out next year.I use washed out milk cartons filled with water to weigh down fleece etc,doesn`t rip or snag like bricks do

[marmite]

I drill a hole in the washing balls of liquid detergent and place on top of bamboo canes, then I dont get poked with the cane. and after a drop of rain it a drinking bowl on a stick for little inscect. Regards Marmite

[BADGER.BRAD]

Hello All
I cut the bottom off and place in the bottom of my hanging baskets before filling them with soil helps to retain more water! I've cut clear plastic bottles in half filled the bottom half with soil and seeds a little water then replaced the top half, makes a great little self watering green house for those seeds. Others I've used as seed trays, beer slug traps mud guard flaps for my bicycle. I must admit I hate all the plastic I seem to get through and am actively trying to reduce this!

[Lisa MTT]

I definitely second the idea to use plastic trays as seed trays. I'm about to get an entire Brownie pack sowing mixed salad leaves in these. The trays from chops, mince and steaks are good with some holes punch through.

I also cut up marg & soft cheese tubs for plant labels.

Large plastic bottles can be cut into deep rings to surround individual plants: it's supposed to deter slugs. Handy for the bottles that you've used the bottom of as cloches.

[bantiekeeper]

When planting out lettuce or brassica plants we put collars cut from 2litre lemonade bottles round them. Cut bottles into 3 pieces for lettuce and 2 pieces for brassicas, discarding the top and bottom. This helps them get established more quickly. In most cases we leave the collars on until harvest time. Also seems to help keep slugs at bay.