Magnets Made from a #6 Plastic Bottle!

     ​While good in theory, recycling plastics doesn’t always work out well in practice.  Most municipalities don’t have the facilities to recycle all kinds of plastic.  Even a little contamination can make a whole batch of plastics unsuitable for the recycling process.  Plastics in landfills can have a half-life of a few centuries.  Considering that, I’m looking at ways to upcycle my used plastics, especially the types that are most difficult to recycle in my area.

​     I used #6 plastic from a bottle of whitening mouthwash to make these magnets.  I printed the surface and baked the plastic.  During the baking process, I learned that curved #6 plastic can curl up like a fruit roll-up when subjected to heat.  I had to use my muscles and a frozen turkey to flatten the curled-up pieces and make them retain their shape!  I glued magnets to backs of the plastic pieces.  The final product is both one-of-a-kind and eco-friendly.  I finally have the magnets I’ve always wanted, but aren’t for sale anywhere.

     I’m enjoying my redefined relationship with plastics and looking forward to experimenting with other types of polymers.