Good Thinking

Cutter adds another string to plastic bottle's bow

Cutter adds another string to plastic bottle's bow
The Plastic Bottle Cutter helps repurpose bottles and spare the environment
The Plastic Bottle Cutter helps repurpose bottles and spare the environment
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It can even be used to tow a car
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It can even be used to tow a car
The Cutter is small and made of sustainable materials
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The Cutter is small and made of sustainable materials
Cut plastic is ideal for arts and crafts
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Cut plastic is ideal for arts and crafts
The plastic strings are resilient and versatile
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The plastic strings are resilient and versatile
The Plastic Bottle Cutter repurposes all types of bottles
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The Plastic Bottle Cutter repurposes all types of bottles
The Plastic Bottle Cutter helps repurpose bottles and spare the environment
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The Plastic Bottle Cutter helps repurpose bottles and spare the environment
View gallery - 6 images

City recycling programs have helped to reduce the amount of plastic waste making its way into landfills and the world's oceans, but a two-man team from France is providing a more direct approach. Their Plastic Bottle Cutter us a simple tool that lets plastic bottles be repurposed into something useful.

The device, a wooden stick with a replaceable blade, does exactly what it says on the label: it cuts plastic bottles. More precisely, it cuts plastic bottles into strings that can be weaved into various objects. For straight-edged bottle it looks as simple as peeling an orange, and if the bottle is ruffled, the user just needs to heat the bottle and stretch it out to make it smooth.

Although not exactly a new idea, the Cutter innovates by packing the concept into a compact, practical device. There is no need for a special table, reel, and other more complex instruments. And it's easy to keep in a shelf or glove box as it measures only 14 cm x 2.5 cm (5.5" x 1") and weighs only 115 g (0.25 lb).

The device can turn out strings of various widths, which can be upcycled into all sorts of objects, such as brooms, baskets and door curtains. Demonstrating the strength of the strings, the video below even shows them being used as a car towing strap.

Cutting up the bottles also reduces the space they take up, so it can help users better manage their plastic waste while they wait for inspiration.

A Kickstarter campaign has well and truly surpassed it's initial goal, with still a month left to run. The minimum pledge still remaining to reserve a Plastic Bottle Cutter is €20 (US$22), with delivery estimated for June 2016 if all goes to plan.

The video below shows the device in action and some possible applications for the recycled plastic strings.

Source: Plastic Bottle Cutter

Plastic Bottle Cutter

View gallery - 6 images
6 comments
6 comments
Bob Stuart
This is a classic leatherworker's trick, usually done by sticking two knives into a board, one as a guide and one as the cutter. Except for special constructions, I'd rather use recycled plastic as twine.
Timelord
Why not some kind of motorized rotating cutter to slice off a thin continuous filament for 3D printing, sort of like one of those spiral slicers for making curly fries? Kill two birds with one stone: recycle old bottles and provide cheap filament for printing.
Firehawk70
@Timelord, you beat me to it. The moment I saw the headline and photo I just assumed that 3D printing spline was exactly what this was for. I was disappointed, but then still slightly happy to find other uses in mind.
Anne Ominous
This is one of the best useful new gadgets I've seen in a while.
Too bad it costs too much for what it is.
Harap White
nice thing stealing someone else's idea and making money....this Russian guy was posting this tool on youtube 2 years ago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZVLGJrqEwo
for those who want to DIY here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA1dlT0sKxk
PlasticBottleandCanCutter
New version of plastic bottle cutter. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1926431950/plastic-bottle-and-can-cutter