Recycle or repurpose your Nalgene

Don’t throw away your Nalgene — recycle it, or repurpose it!

All the concern over the dangers of BPA (see our related earlier post) have caused many people to consider using other forms of reusable bottles (like those from Sigg, Klean Kanteen, and others) in place of their trusted Nalgene bottle. Bear in mind, Nalgene (the company) has now started offering its style of bottles (using a polycarbonate or Lexan plastic) in versions that are BPA-free, so its not to say that you can’t use Nalgene bottles at all anymore. For your drinking water, you may want to at least entertain the idea of using a BPA-free alternative (whether plastic or an aluminum bottle like those from Sigg or stainless steel like those form Klean Kanteen), and find another plan for your Nalgene (but don’t throw them in the garbage – read on).

For those of us who have been using Nalgene bottles for a decade or more, many of us have amassed a small collection of these bottles. If you have now determined you want to take measures to avoid your exposure to BPA and you have old Lexan, polycarbonate or Nalgene bottles that may have contained BPA, hopefully you would never consider throwing them in the garbage. Since these were generally recycling #7 grade plastic, they are quite logically very recyclable, and if you must get rid of them, please recycle! Alternatively, why not repurpose them?

What does it mean to repurpose a plastic bottle? Simply, whatever you choose to do with it. We’ll offer a few ideas. If you have kids, use the repurposed Nalgene or polycarbonate bottles as a container for small objects or toys (ideally something not consumed or likely to be put in their mouth or that seems counter-intuitive to the BPA leaching issue). Around your garage, these transparent bottles are great for holding nails, bolts, or items you keep around for projects. Fill it with grass seed to repair your lawn or with water to use as a watering can for small plants. For camping, these bottles are still terrific for storing and keeping things dry or for storing things that often get lost (think twine/small rope, tent stakes, etc.) How about filling your old Nalgenes with first aid supplies, and keeping one in your car and one in your camping gear?  A first aid kit kept in a Nalgene keeps it handy and waterproof!

Want us to shed some light on a creative and fun new idea for repurposing your bottle? Use it as a lantern! There are companies that have developed LED (light emitting diode) light caps that can be screwed on the bottle in place of the original cap, converting your Nalgene or polycarbonate bottle to a colorful lantern! That is not only a great way to reuse such a bottle, but it is an easy way to acquire an eco-friendly lantern that uses nominal energy (particularly if you use a solar version) and did not require significant raw materials for production. You can find lights like this from companies such as SolLight. There are also non-solar versions of this style of lid lantern for your Nalgene or polycarbonate bottle, from companies such as the Firefly from Guyout Designs, found here.

Whatever you choose to do, there are plenty of fun or practical ways to reuse or repurpose your Nalgene bottle. If you would rather be rid of it entirely, remember that type of polycarbonate plastic usually bears the recycling #7 symbol on the bottom, so be sure to recycle it rather than throw it.