Keeping your hands clean has never been more important, so we’re all using a lot more hand sanitizer nowadays. To make it convenient at home, keep a supply within reach in every room — but you don’t want to buy a bunch of small plastic bottles. Whether you buy sanitizer in bulk or make your own DIY version (<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/blog/homemade-hand-sanitizer-diy-1937389/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here’s a how-to</a>), you can wash old bottles of hand soap or beauty products to upcycle plastic containers for your personal hand sanitizer supply. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/blog/make-sew-no-sew-face-masks-at-home-1938357/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Here’s How to Make Your Own DIY Cloth Face Masks at Home</a>

Learning how to recycle plastic can be really fun for families — especially if you make a game of it. Whether it's for your backyard or for your living room, try making a giant game of chess or checkers with clean plastic bottles. For bonus points, have kids paint or decorate the bottles to make special game pieces. Here's <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/backyard-builds/photos/all-the-backyard-inspiration-you-need-right-now-from-backyard-landscaping-ideas-to-backyard-studios-1938180/#currentSlide=32" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">an example of a giant backyard game board</a> (created by the <em>Backyard Builds</em> team) to inspire you.

Double your fun. This cool <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/backyard-builds/videos/backyard-builds-diy-storage-solutions/1465711171780/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DIY pegboard storage system</a> from <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/backyard-builds/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Backyard Builds</a></em>’ Brian McCourt and Sarah Keenleyside solves two problems at once: it makes it easy to get your garage or <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/blog/diy-craft-room-1941985/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">craft room</a> organized, while simultaneously upcycling old plastic containers like pop bottles. By repurposing plastic bottles into clever see-through storage for small items like nails, screws or even dog treats, you can stay organized while giving old plastic new life. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/photos/diy-projects-that-will-set-your-home-apart-1930013/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Easy DIY Projects From HGTV Canada Stars That'll Make Your Home Look Expensive on a Budget</a>

Beneficial bugs and pollinators can be good for your garden, and you can make use of a recycled plastic bottle and straws to <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/ways-backyard-give-back-1938872/#currentSlide=6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">build a insect house (or hotel!)</a> <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/how-to-create-rainwater-catcher-fun-outdoor-projects-1940018/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Create Your Own Rainwater Catcher (and 13 Fun Other Outdoor Projects)</a>

<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/diy-balcony-herb-garden-balcony-gardening-ideas-1939618/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Growing a balcony herb garden</a> is a great way to <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/the-ultimate-herb-guide-varieties-and-best-uses/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">bring fresh flavour into your cooking</a> — and you don't need to spend a lot of money on containers and pots. Instead, use recycled plastic containers to create an herb garden on your balcony or windowsill for a green alternative. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/blog/live-more-sustainably-the-green-jars-tannis-mara-bundi-1942108/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How Can We Live More Sustainably? The Green Jar’s Tannis and Mara Bundi Break it Down</a>

From <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/photos/diy-how-to-make-your-own-living-wall-1927688/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">living walls</a> to <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/hanging-planters-make-buy-under-75-1940078/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hanging planters</a>, we’re all getting more and more creative about finding ways to grow plants in our home’s smaller spaces — and that creativity pairs perfectly with recycling plastic in your home, too. A DIY vertical garden made from upcycled plastic bottles (<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/backyard-builds/videos/diy-vertical-gardens/185acc92-7d9c-11ea-99ea-0242ac110006/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here’s a how-to</a> from <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/backyard-builds/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Backyard Builds</a></em>’ Brian McCourt and Sarah Keenleyside) is a great way to add a stylish, space-saving element to your home’s outdoor space. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/reuse-food-scraps-reduce-food-waste-1941758/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">More Than Compost: How to Reuse Food Scraps and Reduce Food Waste Throughout Your Home</a>

Whether you’re looking to grow an indoor plant (like these Devil’s ivy plants) in water or you want a pretty clear vase for flowers from your garden, you can use plastic recycling to create your own vessels for <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/easy-to-care-for-indoor-plants-1926218/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">indoor greenery</a>. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/how-to-set-up-a-hydroponic-garden-in-your-home-1937167/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Set Up a Hydroponic Garden in Your Home</a>

Similarly, recycling non-functional plastic toys into vessels for a container garden is a fun way to give old plastic new purpose. Have toys that can't be recycled or used for storage? This <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/worst-to-first/videos/diy-bookends/1526583363790/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">fun DIY from <em>Worst to First</em>'s Catherine Yuen</a> turns plastic toys into stylish bookend decorations. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/container-gardening-guide-1937119/#" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Container Gardening Guide: How to Grow Like a Pro</a>

Teach your kids about how to recycle plastic — and save money — by repurposing plastic containers and bottles into crafting and art supplies instead of throwing them in the trash. One fun idea for a rainy afternoon? Cut plastic pop bottles in half (make sure the edges aren't sharp), and then have kids paint on fun patterns or animal-face designs. Once dry, use the customized bottles as a special holder for kids' paintbrushes or pencil crayons. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/photos/transform-standard-plastic-outdoor-playhouse-1940558/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eyesore No More: How to Make Over a Standard Plastic Outdoor Playhouse</a>

Another way to double up on your green-living lifestyle? <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/7-natural-cleaners-you-can-make-at-home-1896485/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Make your own DIY cleaning products</a> — and store them in upcycled plastic containers instead of buying new bottles. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/we-tried-these-sustainable-home-products-our-honest-opinions-1936507/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">We Tried These Sustainable Home Products: Our Honest Opinions</a>