Skip to content If you’re like most people, you have a few hours of free time every week.
And while there are plenty of things you can do with those hours (watching TV, socializing), one environmental-friendlier alternative is turning your old plastic bottles into cash.
Making money from used plastic bottles is becoming a growing trend in many areas of the world.
You can make some cash by recycling these plastics, sell them to shops and stores, use them for crafts and other projects.
The possibilities are endless! In that regard, we’ll look at scrap plastic bottle prices.
How much are scrap plastic bottles worth?
As more people become aware of the environmental impact of plastic products, the demand for recycling has increased as well.
Plastic bottles are one of the most popular products being recycled.
Its durability makes it ideal for reusing in various ways, and the raw materials it contains (primarily polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene) are valuable.
Those interested in recycling plastic bottles can either recycle them themselves or find a company willing to collect their recyclables.
Since one of the main purposes of recycling plastic bottles is to make money from it, companies that are willing to pay for it will usually also purchase the bottles from their customers.
In the US, most recycling companies pay their customers between US$0.03 and $0.06 per pound of plastic bottles collected.
The demand for plastic bottles also varies from region to region, as well as on the type of plastic used in the production of these bottles.
While the most common types are PET (plastic bottles for drinking) and HDPE (High density polyethylene), the most prominent types are PET and polypropylene for a variety of applications.
Any plastic bottle should be empty and free of any residual content prior to being recycled.
What materials can be recycled?
Most people who recycle plastic bottles tend to keep the plastic and beer caps on, but some may prefer to remove them.
Since most of the material inside a plastic bottle is already valuable and can be reused in another way, it’s best to keep everything along with the bottles.
The material that is collected through recycling should be free of any residue.
The most valuable part of a plastic bottle is the polyethylene terephthalate.
These bottles are normally used for soda and water, and they can be recycled into other soda and water bottles.
Polyethylene terephthalate is also used in the production of polyester products.
Another common type of plastic used in the production of plastic bottles is high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
These are used in the production of milk, water, olive oil and cooking oil bottles.
HDPE is also used to make garbage bags.
A third popular type of plastic used in plastic bottle production is low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
These bottles are normally found in items detergent and shampoo bottles.
The material itself can be reused to make new plastic products for those same purposes.
LDPE is also used for making auto parts and liners for greenhouses.
How to repurpose scrap plastic
Aside from recycling, another way to reuse plastic bottles is to use it in crafts and other DIY projects.
Some people like to use them as vases, while others turn them into planters for decorative purposes.
We’ve included just a few of the many other ideas below.
Make a bird feeder
There is nothing as beautiful and calming as the sound of birds singing.
Having a bird feeder in your yard is an easy way to attract various species of birds, and it will help you enjoy many hours of peaceful time.
The best type of plastic bottle for this project is the one that is sturdy enough to resist the weight of the birds, so choose a clear bottle.
You can also cut the top part of the bottle and insert it in a stick to make the bird feeder even sturdier.
DIY Terrarium
This is a project that will surely keep the kids busy.
Terrariums are a fun way to decorate your home and office, and they require very little maintenance.
The best thing about them is that they look nice no matter where you put them.
Together with the kids, collect small stones, sand and some soil, and arrange them to form the tiny terrarium.
Then, you can plant small seedlings of various kinds, like grass or cactus.
Don’t forget to water them regularly.
Make a planter out of a plastic bottle
Plastic bottles can be used to make planters for many different purposes, from looking good in your garden to adding color to your interior décor.
You can also use them for creating stunning decorations for your home or office by cutting them into small vases and placing them on the table.
Plant some flowers, herbs or other seedlings in them and make yourself a beautiful planter.
This is also a great idea for bringing some green to your office desk.
How to safely dispose of plastic bottles
Plastic is the number one material being recycled these days, so it’s important that you know how to properly dispose of plastic bottles.
The most common way of disposing of plastic bottles is by placing them in your curbside garbage bin.
While it’s true that the majority of plastic is recyclable, you can still help the environment by taking the right action with your garbage disposal.
That could mean recycling those bottles or throwing them away in a more appropriate manner.
Plastic bottles can be put into recycling bins as well as garbage cans.
Once you’ve poured all of the contents out, make sure to shake the bottle back and forth before opening it for disposal.
Some recycling companies will not accept plastic bottles that are full of liquid or have a lot of residue left inside.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to note that recycling is not the same as repurposing.
While repurposing simply means using the materials for other creative uses, recycling is different because it actually involves putting the material through a process in order to make it reusable.
Repurposing simply means finding another use for the bottles once they’re empty and clean.
Plastic bottles can be repurposed into various art projects, bird feeders or planters and many other things if you just know how to find ways to use them.
FAQs
How much is an empty plastic bottle worth?
Plastic bottles can be worth anywhere between $0.05 and $0.10 depending on the size.
Can I make money recycling plastic?
Yes, you can.
You can choose to recycle your plastic bottles at home by collecting them and turning them in at a local recycling center.
Many centers will pay you for the bottles or give you store credit for bringing them in.
If you’re planning on selling your bottles, it’s important to make sure that they’re clean and free of any residue.
