Plastic is a nuisance in almost all senses, as it is hard to destroy, poses a threat to all the living things and the environment in general. So it is always wise to use plastic as little as possible, and reuse the plastic stuff you have at home.

Today’s craft is made from a six-litre water bottle that most of us happen to have at our homes. These bottles are big enough to be used for various purposes; and so we are making a storage box, as well as basket from these bottles today. Let’s start.

Things you need:

1. Two six-litre plastic bottles, (if you have one, you can make one craft)

2. White glue

3. Scissors/paper cutter

4. Any old vibrant-coloured cloth (optional)

5. Hardboard piece (to make the lid)

6. Wrapping paper (optional)

7. Rope or strong string (two pieces of 12-inches)

8. Marker

Directions:

1. To make the basket; first, leave 4 to 5 inches from the top of bottle; mark and cut this part, picture 2.

2. Paste glue all over the bottle, picture 3.

3. Cover glued bottle with the cloth, picture 4.

4. Make two parallel holes on both sides of what is now the top part of the bottle; and insert the rope or string. Tie a knot on the inside, see pictures 5 and 6.

5. Our basket is ready, put it aside.

6. To make the storage box, take another bottle, cut the top part as you did in making the basket.

7. We will make the lid of the storage box first. We will use cardboard for this. Cut out a circle as the same size as the bottle’s circumference, see picture 7.

8. Cut a strip of cardboard, 1.5 inch width; keep in mind that it has to be covered around the circular cardboard piece, so it should be that long. If you don’t have a cardboard that long in one piece (like me), use two strips and join them to cover the circle, see picture 8, 9 and 10.

9. Paste wrapping paper on to the lid, then punch or paste a ribbon in the centre to be used as handle of the storage box lid, picture 11.

Our basket and storage box is ready from the plastic bottles. This is such a useful craft that you mum is going to be very pleased for she can use it for a number of things, and so can you.

Published in Dawn, Young World, August 22nd, 2020