Repurpose with a Purpose

Even though plastics are useful and convenient in our daily lives, we know that plastics are not good for the environment. They are made from oil and other chemicals and cannot break down (decompose) naturally. Some plastics cannot be recycled, so they end up in landfills. Other plastics can accidentally end up in the ocean where they break down to tiny bits of plastic that birds and other marine life can mistake for food. Examples of these items are plastic water bottles, single-use plastic forks, and straws. For those items, it is best to either refuse or replace them with a more durable model, like a reusable water bottle or a metal straw. But, what if you can’t help how an item is packaged and need it regardless? Maybe your favorite salsa only comes in plastic containers?

Can you spot the reused containers in the picture? Challenge yourself to come up with a new way to use or repurpose single-use containers in your home and save them from the landfill or the ocean.