3 Easy Recycled Plastic Projects | Recycling for Beginners

One of the most regular comments we get on our recycling videos is how you guys don't have access to the tools that we are very lucky to have. So we thought we'd show you how this whole process can be done with stuff you likely will already have at home. We show you how to take plastic bottle tops and turn them into coasters, jewellery and keyrings with simple tools. If you want to pick up any of the things that we use in this video then check out the links to the tools below.

No excuses now! Get out there and start recycling at home! If we all take responsibility for our plastic waste then we can prevent plastic from ending up in landfill or polluting our oceans ♻️

♻️♻️♻️

Check out our WEBSITE and online SHOP:

You can also buy our products on ETSY:

Consider supporting us on PATREON:

Follow us on INSTAGRAM:

Link to our MERCH store:

Check out our PLAYLIST with all of our HDPE videos:

♻️♻️♻️

FAQ:
➡️ Our workshop is powered 100% by renewable energy. We don’t use any energy from fossil fuels whatsoever.

♻️♻️♻️

EQUIPMENT:
All of the items below are just examples. The same can be achieved in many different ways - feel free to drop us a comment if you have any questions!

Melting:
(Check out local charity/thrift shops before buying new - we found ours for £3!)
(You may want to upgrade to reusable teflon sheets ⬇️ if you plan on melting plastic regularly)

PPE:

Cutting/Shaping/Finishing:
➡️ Polishing: (see what you have at home - any type of furniture/car polish will do the job!)

♻️♻️♻️

Music by Epidemic Sound

#BrothersMake #HDPE #RecyclingAtHome #PreciousPlastic #HDPERecycling #RecycledPlastic #RecycledPlasticBottles #PlasticShredding #InjectionMoulding #GetStarted #PlasticRecycling

This video was sponsored by Skillshare

[JohannaInTheCorner]

Little tip from a jewellery maker about projects 2 and 3...
... when opening jump rings (the circular chain link that you use to join the plastic to the key chain ) do not pull the two ends apart in the same axis as this is the way you misshape the link from its circular shape. If the link lays flat as a ‘c’ shape when you open it for use... you’re doing it wrong..
Try to open the link the other way (90 degrees from the previous). You will still have your circular shape but the link won’t lay flat on the table when there is an opening. IF done correctly it will look like a spiral of wire has been cut to make the link.This link will be far easier to close and will assist in keeping the round shape in the ring.

[daryonoteguhsakti]

Im an materials engineering student and my polymer processing's lecturer gave me an assignment to make a product from recycle plastic and your video really helpful to do the project at home eventho i have limited tools. Thank you🙏

[plasticochido]

You totally hit the nail on the head! Most people can't aford the machines, but ANYBODY can experiment and learn. Thanks for sharing guys!

[RachelShadoan]

This was really great. I've been putting off doing plastic projects because I felt like I didn't have all the tools I need, but this made it really accessible!

[JR-jece]

I'm guessing this was suggested to me as ive been watching alot of craft videos lately and I'm so glad it was I never knew there was a plastic that could be so easily recycled and reformed at home this is really useful to know

[karenholmes]

Thanks for making the technique accessible to many people. When my son was little, baby wipes came in the shape of Lego blocks. For years I have had in the back of my mind using recycled plastic to form bricks to solve the homeless crisis. Using recycled plastic to build tiny houses may make sense.

[amandasnider]

For those who are not comfortable with sawing you can purchase certain kinds of scissors from hardware stores such as Trauma Sheers (aka known on the internet as scissors that can cut pennies) or all purpose scissors that cut thick carpet as well as thin metals. Please note though that you have to be careful, I've accidentally pinched or cut myself when cutting overly small and intricate shapes. Also, you will be unsuccessful cutting sheets thicker than the tip of your pinky.

[NiekeAkosah-jvft]

Great video. This reminds me of a video I watched about a girl who tried almost exactly the same thing (making coasters etc) using countertop ovens with baking sheets, progressing to large bakery ovens. Five years on, she's got 26 employees, making $400k/year exporting furniture overseas.

[mamasaidno]

Videos like this are dangerous for me. My AHDH kicks in and I want to 'MELT ALL THE PLASTIC!' Great video, wonderful ideas.

[clarerothwell]

Super video - much appreciated by a South African who wants to try to create some local jobs.

[michellewhetstone]

Thank you for addressing microplastics! This video is so great. Thank you!!

[teresahaven]

Omgosh I have a grandson who would LOVE doing this!!! He is 12, knows the safety rules of cooking, and we have the right oven mitts. Although we will have to use 2 cast iron skillets as the panini

[analeigholdeworlde]

Please show more possibilities for at home projects like this! I would love to be able to make more things at home from recycled plastics.

[clinthopper]

This first video of yours that I was recommended off subject but I just feel the need to tell you guys to cherish every moment you have together I just lost my lil brother and I wish we had more time together to do more projects together it's just not the same doing them alone.

[maderightamerica]

Giving plastic a value by turning into useful products is a great incentive for recycling. Awesome! 🤗

[loril.mangold]

Those Coaster could Also be made into cute little hexagon shaped jewelry boxes, or counter top tiles, or bathroom tiles, floor tires, the could be used for short molded legs dor furniture, like for dressers, or couch. I still say deck boards would be cool for a Patio

[BlackBeardProjects]

HDPE master bros. The handling of molten plastic is oddly satisfying <3 You got so good at all this, congrats and thanks for sharing your tricks! Cheers!

[onkelhiphop]

I started watching videos on how to repair plastic and YouTube decided to show me this later on and thanks for that this is gonna be one of my new hobbies great work guys keep it up🤘😎

[daniellow]

If I remember correctly the #2 recycling (bottle caps) plastic sinks in water whereas the other type floats.
This enables recycling operations to easily separate these main types before or after turning into chips.

[kezlou]

You could polish the pendant more by using a nail buffer block, I use mine to polish old coins for birthday presents (I make personalised coin displays in frames for friends and family) and I find they are brilliant if you work through the 4 sides and bring up a fantastic shine. Plus they are super cheap and last for ages. I got a pack of 4 from my local Poundland a few years ago, and they are a bit grimy now but still work great!