Teacher Appreciation Ideas: DIY Recycled Planters

Look no farther than your bathroom for great supplies to make these recycled planters . They are a great craft idea for the kids to give as teacher appreciation gifts next month. We all use so many products in our bathroom, and I know my husband just throws the empty bottles in our bathroom trash can instead of bringing them downstairs to be recycled.

Earth Day is April 24th, so think about saving some of those bottles of lotion, make up remover containers etc and create these fun and super easy DIY plant holders. The only cost you have is the dirt, plant and the colored garden tags.  

Of course you can always make tags out of old cardboard or used wine corks. There is no reason to throw perfectly good containers in the garbage when you can recycle them into wonderful mothers day gifts gifts too.  

teacher appreciation idea-recycled planters

HOW TO MAKE PLANTERS OUT OF RECYCLED PlASTIC BOTTLES

Crafts with recycled bottles

WHAT TYPE OF CONTAINERS CAN I TURN INTO PLANTERS

Start with empty bottles of beauty products found in your bathroom. I was surprised to see how many great containers I had under my sink that I could use in this project for recycled planters. 

Crafts with recycled bottles

Carefully clean them out and take any labels off that you can. (its ok if you can’t we will show you a fun alternative. )

recycled planters

HOW TO MAKE A TALL BOTTLE INTO A  DIY PLANTER FOR EARTH DAY

For the jar shape, we glued the top to the bottom of the jar for a fun splash of color. Added our dirt and plant for a great gift idea. You could always use a sharpie to decorate to pot, but simple is nice too. 

recycled plants

For the containers with the pumps or smaller openings, we cut about 1/4 off the top, added clear glass beads to the bottom. Then glued the top to the bottom and added a plant for a way to see the roots grow into the bottom. A great science experiment of the kids. 

teacher appreciation gifts recycled planters

HOW TO DECORATE DIY PLANTERS MaDE FROM RECYCLED BOTTLES

For the bottles we could not easily take the labels off, we simply recycled the pump, cut the bottle in half and covered it with duck tape.

flower pots

 

Then add your soil and plant for a personalized teacher appreciation gift. You can still recycle the top that you cut off. 

recycled bathroom products recycled planters

Repurposing old bottles into planters is a creative and eco-friendly way to add greenery to your space. Here are some tips to help you get started:

  1. Choose Your Bottles: Select bottles of various shapes and sizes that suit your aesthetic preferences. Wine bottles, mason jars, and even old soda bottles can work well.
  2. Clean Thoroughly: Make sure to clean the bottles thoroughly to remove any labels, residue, or dirt. Soak them in warm, soapy water, and use a scrub brush or sponge to remove stubborn stains.
  3. Drainage Holes: Ensure proper drainage by drilling or punching holes in the bottom of the bottle. This prevents water from pooling and helps prevent root rot.
  4. Choose Plants Wisely: Select plants that are suitable for the size of your bottles and the amount of light available in your space. Succulents, herbs, and small leafy plants like pothos or spider plants are great options for bottle planters.
  5. Potting Mix: Use a well-draining potting mix suitable for the types of plants you’ve chosen. A mix of potting soil, perlite, and sand works well for most container plants.
  6. Plant Carefully: Carefully plant your chosen greenery into the bottles, making sure not to damage the roots. Use a small shovel or your hands to gently add the potting mix around the roots and tamp it down lightly.
  7. Watering: Be mindful not to overwater your plants. Since bottles typically don’t have drainage, it’s easy to drown the roots. Water sparingly and allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
  8. Light and Location: Place your bottle planters in locations that receive adequate light for the plants you’ve chosen. Rotate them occasionally to ensure even growth.
  9. Decorate: Get creative with decorating your bottle planters. You can paint the bottles, wrap them in twine or rope, or decorate them with stickers or decoupage.
  10. Maintenance: Regularly check your plants for signs of pests, disease, or overwatering. Prune them as needed to encourage healthy growth.

By following these tips, you can transform your old bottles into beautiful and functional planters that add charm to any space.

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc created the Care To Recycle® program as a gentle reminder to recycle your personal care items in the bathroom. I dare you to look under your cabinets and in your showers for all the potential items you can turn into something else and not fill the landfills. 

  • Care To Recycle®, a program of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., provides creative new ways for parents to reimagine their recycling habits beyond the kitchen and into the bathroom, while engaging their children.
    • Care To Recycle® aims to raise awareness of the importance of recycling personal care products in the bathroom, including preventing valuable materials from entering landfills unnecessarily.

 

    • Recycling no longer needs to be viewed as just another household chore; showing your kids how to recycle can be one of life’s little teachable moments that can have a lasting impact.

 

    • Together, we can help create a healthy planet for our kids today, and for future generations.

recycled planters

You can’t tell me your kids won’t totally enjoy making these personalized gifts for their teachers, grandparents or even for Mother’s Day. When the plants grow too large for these containers you can then recycle the containers in your regular recycling bins.

Be sure to check out our milk carton Earth Day idea  too. 

What is your favorite way to recycle items in your bathroom? Who would you give one of these recycled planters to? 

 

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2 Comments

  1. chastity on April 18, 2016 at 3:19 pm

    These are so creative! Will have to make one for my son’s teacher.

  2. christine on April 18, 2016 at 10:16 am

    My daughter’s preschool teacher just did a project in their class very similar to this to teach about recycling for earth day. Such cute ideas.