Recycling Projects: Water Bottle Sprinkler

I hope you’re all outside and enjoying the weather. I’m writing this post from a blanket on my front lawn. My dogs are relaxing in the grass and soaking up some sun. The neighbor kids are jumping ramps in our circle with their scooters, and some other kids are out in their bathing suits playing with the hose in their front yard. It is just a gorgeous day; the kind of day that makes you happy to be alive.

    I’m sitting maybe five feet away from my plastic bottle bird feeder and there’s a bird eating from it! HAPPINESS! He’s adorable.
 
    Speaking of playing in the water, I have the perfect recycling project for a day like this. Today, I’m going to show you how to make a sprinkler from a water bottle and used ballpoint pens so that you can have tons of watery fun and keep cool this summer.

Materials:

• 20 oz plastic bottle with cap

• At least 15 used ballpoint pens

• Universal male hose attachment (about $1.25 at hardware store)

• Plumbing adhesive and sealant (like Amazing Goop)

• Electric drill

• 3/8” drill bit

• 5/8” spade drill bit

• Measuring tape

• Knife

This project requires drilling and cutting, so please assist and supervise your children.


Steps:

1. Measure the thickest width of the universal hose attachment, which will most likely be 11/16”. Drill a hole in the center of the bottle cap that is slightly smaller, about 5/8”.
2. Drill three rows of five holes into the side of the bottle using a 3/8” drill bit. Secure the bottle and keep it from moving while doing this.
3. Remove the ball-point and ink inserts from all of the pens, and using the knife, cut the pens into 2” lengths inclusive of the cone tips. 
4. Insert the pens about ½” into the holes. 
5. Use the plumbing adhesive to secure them to the bottle. To ensure a watertight seal, work slowly and patiently and in a ventilated area. 
6. Glue the hose attachment to the hole in the bottle cap, applying glue on both sides of the cap. Also spread glue onto the lip of the bottle. 
7. Twist the cap onto the bottle and secure with glue. 
8. Turn the hose on and have some warm-weather fun! 

Picture and source from: http://www.curbly.com/users/chrisjob/posts/2721-diy-sprinkler-using-recycled-materials

Get Vocal for the Environment! 

Co-sign an open letter to President Obama urging him to take action for climate change! You won't believe how easy it is do this one. Just go here on 350.org's website. You can read the letter that you will be electronically signing on the left, and you sign it by entering your name, email, and zip code in the top right corner. Easy! 

350.org's goal is to amass 80,000 signatures. According to the site, they now have 77,327 signatures. After you sign the letter, you will receive emails from 350. However, you can unsubscribe from them at anytime, if you so desire. I suggest you keep them, because 350 will keep you updated on other ways you can be vocal for the environment!  

350.org is an awesome organization named after the idea that to maintain a healthy earth, we must reduce the carbon levels in the atmosphere to 350ppm (parts per million). Want to learn more about the organization? Go here to see my "Activism Spotlight" post that featured 350. Go here to see the "Suggested Reading" post that featured an article by Bill McKibben, who founded 350.