Key Takeaways: Recycled plastic has surprising possibilities beyond simple reuse — from furniture to fashion, it can become something beautiful and useful.
- Lighting fixtures such as chandeliers can be crafted from old bottles.
- Recycled plastic becomes rugs, tote bags and even toys.
- Furniture and jewellery shows how durable and decorative upcycled plastic can be.
Recycling is an important practice in the modern day. Not only are you saving more resources when you recycle, but you also help to save nearly 80% of the energy that goes into making plastic bags and other products from new plastic. With 30 million tonnes of plastic waste produced each year, this recycling is becoming vital to help reduce the landfill space being used for such waste.
In fact, some people have taken to recycling plastic themselves and have created many wonderful products as a result. So, what does your recycled plastic turn into at the end of the recycling process? Other than a stylish wristband, of course.
1) Lighting
Have you ever seen a plastic bottle chandelier? For some households, the more recycled their decorations the better they are. This may not be mass produced (yet), but it is certainly one of the coolest things to be made of recycled plastic.
2) Rugs
Rugs are made of plastic? Yes and no. Don’t worry, you don’t have the exchange comfort in your pursuit of saving the planet. The underside of your rug, the bit that keeps everything all together, is usually a plastic mix which keeps the threads from coming loose. Meaning you can enjoy the same beautifully comfortable fabric rug, whilst also having a positive effect on the environment.
3) Tote Bags
Bags with slogans are becoming increasingly popular, with everyone from teen girls to businessmen enjoying their use. With many sporting the claim ‘100% recycled’, it’s only a matter of time before they can all hold this accolade.
4) Plastic Bags
Okay, so at first this may not sound as cool. But, with the current 5p charge per bag, this may help you to sleep better at night at the very least.
5) Toys
Here’s a thought: the plastic bottle you are currently drinking from will one day by a T-Rex. Children’s toys are becoming more and more creative, which means more plastic is being used to produce them. But, for the sake of sustainability many toy manufacturers are turning to recycled plastic to produce these fun products. Which means… Recycled Barbie coming to a store near you (maybe).
- Tote bags and rugs give utility to plastic waste.
- Clothing, shoes and accessories can include fabric made from recycled bottles.
- Lighting and furniture pieces use recycled plastic in striking ways.
- Jewellery and creative décor show style and sustainability can go hand in hand.
6) Furniture
The noble plastic garden chair is a wonder found in gardens up and down the UK. But, it is no longer the only source of plastic furniture in your life. With a famous Swedish furniture store introducing more plastic into the average home, it only makes sense that many of these products will incorporate some recycled plastic.
7) Jewellery
Earrings, rings and even a necklace. If you can wear it then you can also make it from plastic.
8) Shoes
Walk a mile in my recycled shoes. Not quite the same ring to it as the original, but still possible!
9) Grooming Products
The average person goes through four toothbrushes in a year. Several bottles of shampoo and conditioner. And countless other grooming and maintenance products. All of which come in some form of plastic wrapping or indeed are made of plastic; that’s an incredible amount per year!
10) Fabric wristbands
Our recycled PET fabric wristbands are made from recycled plastic bottles and are the perfect environmentally friendly choice. As both event organisers and attendees become more eco-conscious, these full colour wristbands are growing in popularity. Charities are choosing them as a sustainable alternative to silicone wristbands because we also supply a reusable wooden closure, making the whole wristband environmentally friendly. They work brilliantly as keepsakes and fundraising tools too.
11) Clothes
With many clothes having a polyester element to them it seems only prudent that the plastic used is recycled. Especially in children’s clothes, which very often only see a limited use before the child outgrows them.
So, if you were worried about where your silicone wristband goes next after it’s time on your wrist has worn its welcome, don’t worry! It may come back to you in its next life as a toothbrush.
Go Green With Recycled Wristbands
Choose recycled PET fabric wristbands for your next event — great full-colour print, keepsake appeal, and a kinder choice for the environment.
