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Recycle a Soda Bottle into a Coin Purse

9 February 2009 271,492 views 48 Comments

by heather

Did you know that 80% of plastic bottles aren't recycled? What to do with those landfill hogs? Green Upgrader posted this adorable coin purse made from two recycled 20 oz. soda bottles. They also give additional soda bottle crafting suggestions - cut bottle lengthwise for a clutch, anyone? [download instructions here] [PET bottle purse FB page] [via best of diy] [designed by]

I like this coin purse project as it is a little more modern-looking than many of the kitschy recycled can craft projects out there. I can see myself carrying one of these recycled soda can coin purses much more than I can imagine myself wearing a crocheted beer can dress (much love to Stitchy McYarnpants).

You can get these soda bottles at the dollar store, but why not just recycle some already-enjoyed soda bottles instead? The trick to sewing the zipper onto the bottle is punching holes in the bottle so you can sew through them (kind of like a preschool sewing card). Poke holes with a 1/16" craft punch or just a heated needle. Then stitch through the holes to secure the zipper.

Project Estimate:

2 20oz soda bottles, empty, $2 or on hand
Zipper, $1

Total cost: $1 and up

UPDATE February 2010: I got a note from the creator of this project, Zitta Schnitt, with more information on how it was made:

PET BOTTLE PURSE

The PET Bottle Purse consists of two pieces of PET bottles and a zipper. The transformed item of daily use allocates a new place in its usage. It becomes little companion from everyday life for everyday life. PDF instructions for how to make a pet bottle purse here.

Design: Zitta Schnitt, 2004

Disclosure: this article may contain affiliate links or other forms of sponsored content. Opinions are 100% the author's. Full disclosure policy.

48 Comments »

jannypie said:

i just wanted you to know i enjoy subscribing to your blog, and want to say thank you for bringing such great ideas! happy valentine’s day(here is a little image too http://i41.tinypic.com/fkceog.jpg)

# 9 February 2009 at 10:52 am

esoterica said:

Great idea! May I ask, what exactly did you use to attach the zipper?

# 9 February 2009 at 12:18 pm

heather (author) said:

Looks like it was sewn on – probably using a needle and thread. Here’s the original photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/miulein/437902193/

# 9 February 2009 at 12:28 pm

Barbara said:

I just love this craft site. You really come up with some clever ideas. Thanks so much.

# 10 February 2009 at 3:40 pm

Christina said:

Heather… combining this project with Threadbanger’s water bottle beads (http://tinyurl.com/b3yvt9) and the DIY plastic bag dispenser that uses the top of a bottle for the opening (of course I can’t find any tutorials on this… maybe I’ll make one!), will recycle the entire bottle! Yay green crafting!!

# 11 February 2009 at 12:38 pm

heather (author) said:

Oh yeah, I love that water bottle beads tutorial!! Good call, Christina!

# 11 February 2009 at 2:49 pm

Andi - udandi said:

get outta town, that’s so kooky cool!

# 11 February 2009 at 8:53 pm

Jena Ardell said:

Added to the list of crafts I NEED to make!! Such an innovative idea. LOVE IT.

# 16 February 2009 at 11:20 pm

Soda Bottle Coin Purse said:

[...] a zipper into the space between the bottoms of two soda bottles and voila! A coin purse! I’m also thinking it would make a great electronics caddy, preventing the wiry bits from getting [...]

# 16 March 2009 at 3:03 pm

Michelle said:

I made one this afternoon. I used a really small scrapbook hole punch to make the holes to sew through, and used crochet/tatting thread to set it. It’s adorable! Thanks so much for this idea!

# 24 March 2009 at 8:07 pm

unikatissimas » Plastikflaschen-Schachtel said:

[...] die Quelle zu finden: Den Link zur Plastikflaschen-Schachtel fand ich: via Need More Fiber, via Dollar Store Crafts (die haben weitere tolle Ideen!), via greenUPGRADER, via Superuse.org Ich hatte schon gedacht, dass [...]

# 2 April 2009 at 12:05 am

Make a Recycled Soda Bottle iPod Holder | Dollar Store Crafts said:

[...] Store Crafts reader Michelle was inspired by the Recycled Soda Bottle Coin Purse project to make her own. Then she took it one step further to make an entire soda bottle into a [...]

# 4 April 2009 at 7:39 am

Stripy Socks said:

This is brilliant… I am going to make one for my Niece, she would love one of these!!

# 7 April 2009 at 11:12 am

Dindie said:

Last night I bought myself two bottles of sprite to make this *blush*…I can’t help it, it’s irresistable.

# 9 April 2009 at 4:23 am

Beryl said:

What a great idea, love it!

# 8 June 2009 at 3:49 pm

Kashi-Rawr said:

Thats cool but the zipper………….. could YOU glue it in???? HMMMM..

# 4 July 2009 at 9:23 am

Kashi-Rawr said:

How did you put the zipper in? :’(

# 4 July 2009 at 9:27 am

Miss Jay Hart said:

Cute and clever idea. I would try Zip Dri glue for the zipper to plastic.

# 2 August 2009 at 8:45 am

ayette said:

hehhehe.. i like this recycled project ! it is very unique. but i need more information about this ! can you make me one ??

# 4 August 2009 at 11:27 pm

susi cain said:

great idea thanks a millon keep them coming

# 14 August 2009 at 8:43 am

15 Crafty Ways To Recycle Plastic Water Bottles said:

[...] Plastic Bottle Coin Purse - Unfortunately, this project doesn’t come with instructions. [...]

# 18 October 2009 at 8:22 am

Kulsum said:

How cute..!
Thanks..! x

# 14 November 2009 at 5:45 am

racquel said:

Funny–i thought it was a refrigerator saver for green bell peppers!

# 30 December 2009 at 1:45 pm

Bonnie said:

Why not hot glue zipper in? Make handel out of scrap and attach.

# 24 January 2010 at 1:26 pm

Carrie Himel said:

I really like this! I’m going to make it with my daughter and post on my blog!

# 12 February 2010 at 8:56 am

unikatissima's » Plastic Bottle Box said:

[...] to find the source: I found the link to the plastic bottle box: via Need More Fiber, via Dollar Store Crafts (they have more great ideas!), via greenUPGRADER, via Superuse.org I thought that I’d never [...]

# 13 February 2010 at 5:39 am

Leslie @ Glenn Family Gardens said:

Fantastic!!!! I love recycled crafts. Check out my blog if you like! I got some recycled craftiness as well :)

# 1 March 2010 at 4:23 am

Deepika said:

Looks so useful and easy to make. I need to get on making one :-)
thanks!

# 3 March 2010 at 2:53 am

Fun Craft ideas to reuse and recycle plastic bottles « How2Reuse said:

[...] Plastic Bottle Coin Purses – Unfortunately, this project doesn’t come with instructions. [...]

# 10 March 2010 at 7:42 pm

wannabpharm said:

Absolutely, brilliant!!!!

# 19 April 2010 at 8:37 am

FF #37 « … með límbyssuna að vopni! said:

[...] Fínar leiðbeiningar á ensku má finna hér og hugmyndin er héðan. [...]

# 16 September 2010 at 2:05 am

allana comiso said:

I wanna make one…it’s so cute….:D
But how to make it?
I need it fo
r my project

# 22 October 2010 at 3:28 am

natalie said:

That’s sooooo adorable!!!! i’ gonna make one tomorrow<3<3

# 7 November 2010 at 7:06 pm

Dade said:

Cool! I got sent this article and made a few of these (didn’t turn out so pretty) to hold small garage items. Nuts, screws, bolts, etc and you can just throw them in a tool box and move on! Thanks!

# 10 November 2010 at 1:49 pm

aimee said:

I love racquel’s idea about the green pepper holder but insted of green peppers how about apples? It would protect them better then the hand crochet apple cozies people make. I can also see some kind of “gobble up” counting game for kids. glue on some googlie eyes and then keep the pieces for the game in it- how about all the missed matched pieces from board games. I think I am going to be busy making bunches of these!

# 10 January 2011 at 8:58 pm

gabrielle said:

nice

# 4 February 2011 at 10:00 pm

Joni said:

Oh now that is genius! Why didn’t I think of that? LOL

# 29 June 2011 at 3:36 pm

Kevin - DIY Dork said:

That really is cool. I’ve played around with projects using zippers in my day… and glue always ends up looking globby & just not right. I love how beautifully it was sewn together through the little holes.

# 7 July 2011 at 8:21 am

Dollar Store Crafts » Blog Archive » Recycled Plastic Bottle Pumpkin Container said:

[...] recycled plastic bottle coin purse is one of our most popular features ever, so I'm happy to share this adorable recycled plastic [...]

# 30 October 2011 at 11:31 am

ana henderson said:

this iz so cool

# 13 December 2011 at 9:16 am

Reuse Before You Recycle: What to Do with Bottles and Cans - Green City Take a Step said:

[...] nimble fingers, a soda bottle can even turn into a coin purse! Dollarstorecrafts.com offers a DIY here that is pretty cute and looks like a great way for kids (boy or girl!) to carry their lunch [...]

# 10 February 2012 at 1:55 pm

Links for More Water Bottle Creations « Cynchronicity said:

[...] http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/02/bottle-coin-purse/ [...]

# 11 May 2012 at 8:27 am

Great Uses for Recycled Plastic Bottles | Creative Household said:

[...] plastic, pop cans. Make your own coin purse from recycled pop bottles For directions to make a Pop Bottle Coin Purse check out [...]

# 9 June 2012 at 4:20 pm

saadia said:

i really like these activities with recycling items, as i am an art teacher of junior classes and i need new ideas in every year, so kindly send me new ideas which i will use with my school kids

thanks a lot
saadia

# 21 June 2012 at 1:58 am

chuc said:

HI! thanks you for this amazing post. I will use it as my presentation today for our reycling project at school. thank you so much for such a wonderful idea. Have a nice day!

# 28 August 2012 at 12:04 am