The Scout: Trash for Teaching’s vases made with water bottles

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For the glass-is-half-full optimists at Trash for Teaching, an empty plastic water bottle doesn’t have to be tossed in the blue recycling bin. Instead, it can be turned into a vase -- and a lesson in repurposing.

The Los Angeles-based nonprofit collects castoff materials from manufacturing operations for use in local school arts and crafts programs. It found that standard 500-milliliter water bottles fit neatly inside these cardboard spools that once held fibers for fabric knitting mills.

The vases are thoughtful hostess gifts. They’re $10 each at Zero Minus Plus at Fred Segal in Santa Monica and can also be purchased at Trash for Teaching’s online store.

See the vases in action after the jump.

How to beautify a table -- and teach kids about turning trash into treasure -- in four easy steps:
1. Remove paper label.

2. Fill an empty plastic bottle with tap water and carefully slip it inside the cardboard tube.

3. Add flowers.

4. Discuss.

-- David A. Keeps

Photo credits: Trash for Teaching