The awareness of recycling globally has increased steadily in the last several decades.  People are really getting on board with the concept of things having more than one life.  Some artists have made it their profession to turn articles of trash into treasure.  This concept of artistic recycling or “upcycling” is definitely evident in the area of pop and water bottles.  Here are a few of the treasures I’ve found.

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These green plastic pop bottles have been stuck together to create a transparent orb.  This is an interesting piece of sculpture that reflects back on the importance of recycling and being green.  The shadow made by the orb is really interesting too.  Many of the reuses of plastic bottles I’ve found involve the use of lights.

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These two pictures show a fascinating jellyfish like chandelier at a gallery.  It is made of clear water bottles, caps, clear bases cut off, the rings holding the caps on and the plastic six pack holders.  They also use reclaimed bicycle tires in the frame of the chandelier.  The fluorescent (environmentally friendly) light bulbs shine down on the transparent and translucent plastic pieces creating a very underwater type effect.  Sort of makes me want to start singing “Under the Sea”.

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This shows how different coloured plastic bottles and lights can be used to create a string of lights that is almost Christmas like in appearance.  The bottles are perhaps too big to be used on a tree but they would look excellent as patio lanterns on a deck year round.  A very different and unique idea.

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These interesting lighted sculptures in Japan are made out of water bottles with coloured caps and clear light bulbs.  To me, it sort of looks like a big spider chasing a snowman — I’m not sure what exactly it is supposed to be (obviously).  This unique art installation is very open to interpretation.  It definitely shows how “trash” can be turned into something thought provoking and imaginative.

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This plastic bottle sculpture in Japan is massive in scale.  It uses plastic bottles to form an orb in the opposite direction of the first plastic bottle orb.  It was then painted blue to form the areas of land mass to represent the planet earth.  This sculpture is very symbolic of the relationship between recycling (and reusing) and the environmental well being of the entire planet.

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These earrings make it possible to represent the same ideologies of recycling and reusing on a smaller, more personal scale.  This company uses different colours of cut up plastic bottles to make some very pretty jewellery.  This shows how the reuse of plastic bottles can be something you would use every day and feel great doing it.

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This artist has used pieces of clear plastic bottles and straws to create these ingenious plastic flowers.  All of the materials used in their production is reused — even down to the plastic drinking cup for a vase.  The shininess of the plastic gives the flowers a beautiful reflective feel.  A simplified version of this flowers would perhaps make a great kid’s craft.

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This green plastic garden is made up of plastic pop bottles to reflect the different shapes found in nature.  I like how they’re set up beneath real plants and flowers as a reflection of nature and recycling together.  I don’t think this one would make a very good kid’s craft — it looks really intricate. 

These photos show just a few of the artistic reuses of plastic bottles that people have come up with.  What beautiful ways to show the joy of recycling and showcase the reusability of things that would thrown away.  I’ll continue to delve into other artistic recycling ideas in future articles — stay tuned!