Omar Khalid
Plastic waste is a huge problem for the environment, but one way to reduce it is to recycle plastic items and give them a new lease of life. In this case, you can use plastic bottles or plastic bags to create a wallet. The process is simple and only requires a few tools, such as scissors, a snap-off cutter, a hobby knife, an iron, and some fishing line. You can even add extra features, such as a magnetic coin pocket, a mirror, or a solar panel for recharging. The result is a unique, personalised, lightweight and durable wallet.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | 2x HDPE/PETE bottles (milk bottles) with caps, 5m fishing line, fridge magnet (optional), plastic bags, elastic, parchment paper, velcro, sewing machine, zipper |
| Apparatus | Scissors, snap-off cutter, hobby knife, texter, ruler, iron |
| Dimensions | Back cover: 85mm x 198mm, Cash sleeve: 75mm x 198mm, Credit card slot: 64mm x 94mm and 54mm x 94mm, Pocket: 65mm x 92mm, SD card slot: 38mm x 55mm, First-aid slot: 42mm x 55mm |
| Time | 3-4 hours |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Cost | $0 |
| Features | Magnetic coin pocket, matchbox, pocket with dippers, mirror, tic-tac-toe, solar panel for recharging |
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What You'll Learn
Cutting the plastic
To make a recycled plastic wallet, you will need two HDPE/PETE bottles, preferably milk bottles, including their caps. You will also need a fishing line, a fridge magnet (optional), scissors, a snap-off cutter, and a hobby knife.
Before you start cutting the plastic, it is important to mark the dimensions of the wallet on the washed milk bottle using a texter and a ruler. The dimensions you choose will depend on the size and number of compartments you want in your wallet. Here is an example of the dimensions you can use for a wallet with seven components:
- Back cover (1): 85mm x 198mm
- Cash sleeve (2): 75mm x 198mm
- Credit card slot (3): 64mm x 94mm
- Credit card slot (4): 54mm x 94mm
- Pocket (8): 65mm x 92mm
- SD card slot (6): 38mm x 55mm
- First-aid slot (7): 42mm x 55mm
Once you have marked the desired areas, carefully cut out each component. You should now have seven pieces cut out from the plastic bottle.
The next step is to assemble these parts. This is done by first poking holes along the edges of the plastic parts, ensuring that you leave a side open for the wallet opening. The alignment of the holes must be exact to sew the components together without distortions or misfits.
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Sewing the wallet
Next, take your fishing line and sew the components together, making a knot at the ends. You can also use a sewing machine for this step if you have access to one. Make sure to sew slowly and carefully, as the plastic material can be delicate and prone to tearing if sewn too tightly.
Once the main body of the wallet is sewn together, it's time to add any additional features you desire, such as a magnetic coin pocket, a matchbox, or a pocket with dippers, a mirror, or even a solar panel for recharging. These features can be sewn into the wallet or attached using other methods such as glue or double-sided tape.
Finally, test your wallet by inserting ID cards, driver's licenses, credit cards, and cash. Ensure that everything fits snugly and securely, and make any necessary adjustments to the sewing if needed. Your recycled plastic wallet is now complete and ready to be shown off to your friends and family!
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Adding pockets
To add pockets to your recycled plastic wallet, you will need to cut your fused plastic material into the desired size and shape. You can refer to the dimensions of a standard wallet or cut the plastic to fit your specific needs.
For example, you can create pockets for various items like IDs, licenses, business cards, debit/credit cards, or cash. Cut the plastic accordingly, ensuring that the pockets are slightly larger than the items they will hold. You may also want to cut out a plastic flap to secure the items within the pockets.
Once you have cut out the pieces for your pockets, it's time to sew them onto the inner wallet piece. Place the pockets where you want them and carefully sew them into place. Double-check the placement and measurements before sewing to avoid any mistakes.
After sewing the pockets, you can add any additional features, such as a magnetic coin pocket, a mirror, or even a small game like tic-tac-toe. Be creative and add any extras that can fit within your wallet.
Finally, sew the inner and outer wallet pieces together, ensuring that the designs face the correct way. Sew up both sides and along the bottom, and your recycled plastic wallet with pockets is now ready!
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Testing the wallet
Now that you've crafted your wallet, it's time to test its functionality and durability. Here are some steps to follow to ensure your recycled plastic wallet is ready for everyday use:
Start by inserting essential items such as your ID card, driver's license, credit cards, and cash. Ensure they fit securely in their respective compartments. Check that the wallet closes properly and that none of the contents fall out. If you've included features like an SD card slot or a first-aid kit, make sure they are easily accessible and functional.
Durability and Stress Testing
Next, you'll want to test the wallet's durability. Gently bend and twist the wallet to ensure the plastic and stitching are sturdy and don't show any signs of tearing or breaking. Try sitting on the wallet to simulate being sat on in back pockets; it should be able to withstand reasonable pressure without warping or damaging the contents.
Everyday Use Simulation
Simulate everyday activities that could impact the wallet. For example, if you plan to carry coins, shake the wallet gently to ensure they don't slip out through any openings. If your wallet has a closure, open and close it multiple times to ensure it functions smoothly and doesn't get stuck. Also, test how the wallet fares when placed in a back or front pocket; it should fit comfortably without being too bulky.
Longevity Testing
Finally, consider the long-term use of the wallet. Over time, wallets may stretch or become worn down. Test how the wallet might expand by inserting a reasonable amount of extra content, such as extra cards or notes, to ensure it can accommodate future needs. Also, consider exposing the wallet to different temperatures to see how it reacts; you don't want the plastic to become brittle in colder temperatures or warp in extreme heat.
Remember, the key to successful testing is to be thorough and consider all the potential real-world uses of your wallet. By following these steps, you can identify any potential issues and make adjustments to perfect your recycled plastic wallet design.
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Using milk bottles
To make a recycled plastic wallet from milk bottles, you will need one or two HDPE bottles. These are translucent, flexible, water-resistant, and durable. You can use a 3L milk bottle, which can be purchased at most supermarkets. Be sure to check that it is made of HDPE. You will also need a PETE bottle for making an SD/SIM card slot.
Before you start, collect the plastic bottles and wash them thoroughly so that your wallet does not end up with a milk odor. Use a texta and a ruler to mark out the size of your wallet on the washed milk bottle, then cut out your desired area. The dimensions of the wallet components are as follows:
- Back cover (1): 85mm x 198mm
- Cash sleeve (2): 75mm x 198mm
- Credit card slot (3): 64mm x 94mm
- Credit card slot (4): 54mm x 94mm
- Pocket (8): 65mm x 92mm
- SD card slot (6): 38mm x 55mm
- First-aid slot (7): 42mm x 55mm
Once you have cut your milk bottle into seven components, the next step is to assemble these parts. You will need a considerable amount of fishing line, scissors, push pins, and time. Put the sections together in a top-to-bottom approach, starting with the upper-most parts. Begin by poking holes on the edges of the plastic parts, remembering to leave a side for the opening and ensuring they are in the right alignment. After that, sew the components together with fishing lines and make a knot at the ends.
Finally, test your wallet by putting ID cards, a driver's license, credit cards, and cash into it. Congratulations! You have successfully made a plastic wallet from recycled milk bottles.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use plastic bags or milk bottles to make a recycled plastic wallet. If you use plastic bags, you will also need parchment paper, an iron, velcro, a sewing machine, and elastic. If you use milk bottles, you will need a texter, a ruler, scissors, a snap-off cutter, a hobby knife, and fishing line.
First, cut your plastic bag into a square and lay it as a "sandwich" in between the parchment paper. Next, iron the parchment paper for a few seconds to fuse the plastic. Then, cut the fabric to the size of your wallet, sew the pieces together, and add velcro and elastic if desired.
First, wash your milk bottle and use a texter and a ruler to mark the size of your wallet. Cut out the desired area, then assemble the parts by poking holes on the edges of the plastic parts and sewing them together with fishing line.
