How2Day: Extraordinary Uses for Empty Water Bottles

Give your old water bottles a second life. Jim Franco/Digital Vision/Getty Images
According to the Pacific Institute, a research organization working to advance environmental protection, in 2006, producing plastic water bottles for U.S. consumption required more than 17 million barrels of oil. It also took 3 liters of water to produce a single 1-liter bottle. Reusing an empty water bottle prevents it from wasting even more precious resources, such as landfill space. While you can refill the water bottle again and again, there are some extraordinary uses for these empty containers, as well.

Reader's Digest suggests using empty water bottles as a no-cost chew toy for your dog. Remove the cap and label so the dog does not swallow these items. A 1-liter water bottle provides a satisfying crunch to some dogs and saves you money on bones, pig's ears or other chewy alternatives. Always monitor the condition of the bottle and replace it when it breaks apart.

Transform empty water bottles into free weights for exercise. Simply fill the bottles with sand and screw on the cap. Small water bottles fit well into the hands of most people for an easy grip. Adjust the weight by either adding or subtracting sand. Water bottles filled with sand also work as a way to weigh down objects in the wind, like a beach towel or tarp.

Build a musical instrument with several plastic water bottles. Line up several bottles and fill each with varying amounts of water. When you blow across the open top in the right way it produces a melodic tone. Experiment with different liquid amounts to get different pitches. Kids can use this as a science fair project or in-class demonstration.

Perhaps one of the most extraordinary uses for empty water bottles is demonstrated by innovative builders around the world. In Uganda, empty water bottles are turned into bricks for use in building. The bottles are packed tightly with dirt to ensure firmness. Mud and sand are placed between the bricks to form walls. Often, the ends of the bottles are left exposed and painted different colors for a distinctive look.

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