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We should all aim to leave the world a better place than we found it. That’s why this week we’re covering 5 ways you can recycle your wine bottles!
We could all use a little more love and positivity lately, and one of the best ways to do that is to spread generosity and kindness. Luckily, one of the easiest ways to do that is by looking for different ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle! We all share this planet, so protecting it is one of the easiest ways to stand up for your fellow humans. That’s why this week we wanted to give you a few different ways you can recycle your SECCO wine bottles!
At SECCO Wine Club, we go through a lot of wine bottles, and we’re happy that so many of you are enjoying our wine! But it also means we should promote sustainability in every way possible. Our Castellani wines come from a vineyard that gets 100% of its energy from renewable resources and is dedicated to a “zero waste” program.
But we can all do more! That’s why we wanted to give you some helpful tips. Plus, you might be surprised when you realize all the different ways you can reuse your wine bottles!
Recycle Your Wine Bottles the Traditional Way!
If you’re just not very crafty and want to recycle your bottles in the traditional way, that’s great! According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2017 only 26.6 percent of the glass generated in the US was recycled. So, if you can recycle your wine bottles (or any other glass items) then you should definitely go for it! Plus, glass can be recycled over and over again, making it one of the best items to recycle.
Every state has different rules and regulations in regards to recycling, so be sure to look up the details for your area. Some areas have curbside community recycling programs, while others ask you to drop off your items. No matter what though, make sure you clean them out and find out whether your local recycling center needs them to be separated by glass color or not.
Turn Your Wine Bottles Into Vases
This is the simplest tip of them all. All you have to do is remove the label (if you want to), clean them out, and then use them to display your favorite flowers. Easy-peasy!
Create a Self-Watering System for Your Plants
Speaking of plants, wine bottles are a great alternative to those fancy self-watering systems you can buy. Plus, it works pretty much the same way! However, make sure to keep the cork (or cap) of your wine bottles. They play a key part in this project.
After you’ve cleaned your wine bottle, you’ll want to drill a small hole through the center of your cork or cap. Fill your wine bottle with water up to the neck, replace the cork/cap, and then voila! It may take some finesse to stick them into your planter, but basically you’ll just cover the hole, turn the bottle upside down, and then nestle the neck into the soil surrounding your plant.
The water will slowly release over the next several days, and you won’t have to worry about your plants getting parched. This is a great option if you’ll be leaving your plants at home alone for an extended period of time, or if you just have a habit of forgetting to water them 😉
Create Glasses Out of Wine Bottles
This option requires some supplies and attention to detail, so it may not be for the faint of heart.
Supplies
- Clean wine bottle
- Acetone and a small dish to hold it
- Rag or towel
- Yarn or string
- Ice
- Lighter
- Sandpaper
First, create an ice bath in your sink with a handful or two of ice, and cold tap water. You’ll need enough string or yarn to wrap around the bottle four to six times. Just make sure you wrap the bottle at the height you want your glass to be. Make sure it’s tightly wrapped, and then go ahead and tie it off and snip off any extra length.
After that, slide the yarn off the bottle and soak it in the acetone. Since you’ll need the string to be thoroughly soaked, you may want to go ahead and place a towel under your bottle before sliding the sting back around it.
Now, here comes the tricky part. Hold the bottle on its side over the ice bath, and use the lighter to catch the string on fire. You’ll need to rotate the bottle so that all the string catches fire, but keep rotating it until the flames die out (around 30 seconds). After the fire is out, submerge your bottle in the ice bath. It may take two or three tries, but the top should pop off where you had your yarn placed.
Let the glass sit for at least 30 minutes before sanding down any rough spots. Exposing glass to high heat and then cold temperatures can, obviously, make it pretty fragile. Once it’s back to room temperature though, sand any rough spots around the edges and you’re good to go!
Not only will these be a great conversation piece at your next dinner party, but they also make phenomenal gifts.
Create Art Out of Wine Bottles!
Honestly, you can really let your imagination run wild with this one. If you have kids, this can be a great way to put the screens away and engage them with some good old fashioned arts and crafts. Plus, the only limit is your imagination!
We’ve seen people make lamps, bird feeders, candle holders, soap dispensers, various types of holiday decor, centerpieces, and more. They also make great light features simply by filling them with string lights.
If you really enjoyed making those cups, you can use similar techniques to make succulent planters, dip dishes, and more. Since these options require the use of flames and chemicals, however, it may not be a great choice for the kids.
Let Us Know How You’ve Recycled Your Bottles!
If you’ve been with us for a while, you’ve probably got a decent stock of our wine bottles lying around. So let us know how you decided to reuse or recycle them! Whether you post it on your feed or on your Instagram story, be sure to follow and tag us so we can see all the crafty things you’ve been up to!
There’s a lot going on in the world right now, so any way we can work to make the world a better place is ok by us! If you’re eyeballing some of these crafts but running low on wine bottles, no worries! Check out our shop or subscribe to our Wine Club for more wine and craft supplies 😉
