How to Make Concrete Planters with Recycled Materials for Earth Day

With Earth Day right around the corner (April 22nd), I thought it would be especially appropriate to share a recycling DIY for the occasion. It involves using empty Aveeno lotion bottles to make really cool concrete planters. DIY planters are kind of my favorite thing at the moment, if you couldn’t tell. 

So, with some help from the folks at Aveeno and their Daily Moisturizing collection, I’m sharing a concrete DIY planter post that utilizes my empty Aveeno containers as molds for planters. AND sharing a couple of helpful recycling tips for anyone looking to up their game in the recycling department.

Materials

• empty Aveeno lotion and body wash bottles
• sharp blade for cutting
• plastic container for mixing cement
• water rapid setting cement mix (I use one from Amazon)
• disposable spoon (or similar) for mixing
• mini cup (for creating the hole in the top of the concrete)
• lentils or small rocks (to weigh down the cups)

How To:

First, remove the pump from your empty lotion bottle and discard (the pump isn’t recyclable). Then, rinse out the inside of each container thoroughly before starting this project.

1. Then, cut off any excess parts of the bottle that you won’t need, with a sharp blade. Example: For a ‘bottle shaped’ planter, you’ll want to cut off just the very top of the container. For a shorter, squatty planter, you’ll want to cut the bottle in half, etc. Recycle any leftover bottle pieces that won’t be used.

2. Add the cement mix to a bucket or large container and stir while adding in the water. You’ll need 4 parts cement to 1 part water. Be sure to mix the two together really well, while moving fairly quickly since rapid setting mixes start to set up relatively fast.

3. Scoop cement mix into the bottle molds with a disposable spoon. Then, place small plastic cups, filled with something heavy to weigh it down (I used lentil beans as a weight), into the top of the container, as shown in the photo.

4. Wait for the concrete to dry. If you’re using a rapid setting concrete, like mine, it should be completely dry in 1-3 hours (depending on the temperature, etc).

5. Once the concrete has set and is hard to the touch, use a sharp blade to cut the container away from the concrete, being careful not to scratch the concrete itself. I found it easiest to score the plastic in a long line and then slowly go over the score line again, while pulling the plastic away to ensure that the concrete didn’t get scratched.

Once the plastic has been removed from the concrete, be sure to recycle the bottles. Add small plants and you’re good to go.

Quick Bathroom Recycling Tips

Help the planet and save space in the smallest room in the house by using a divided waste basket. Use one side for recyclable items, like cardboard packaging, toothpaste tubes, plastic lotion bottles, etc and use the other side for non-recyclable items, like lotion pumps.

And don’t forget to give bottles a quick rinse before tossing into the recycling.

Think you’ll give this DIY planter a try? Have any special plans for Earth Day?

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This post is in partnership with Aveeno. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper & Stitch running.