How to Recycle Plastic for Craft Napkin Rings

Napkin rings serve the function of adorning, and sometimes holding together a decoratively rolled or folded napkin, usually for a formally set table. Spending a lot of money on napkin rings to suit every occasion isn't necessary. So, next time you need a festive pair of Christmas napkin rings, or napkin rings for that themed birthday party, save yourself some money and make them yourself from recycled plastic containers.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bottles made of thin and flexible plastic
• Warm soapy water
• Clean dish towel
• Craft knife
• Scissors
• Low-grit sand paper
• Cardboard box
• Spray paint
• Self-adhesive fastener tape circles (they come in pairs with both halves of the fastener tape, fuzzy and rough)
• Low-temperature hot glue gun
• Embellishments such as buttons, silk flowers, lace, ribbon and chipboard shapes

Instructions

1. Use a craft knife to cut away the parts of the bottle that are tapered, such as the top of a water bottle or milk jug. Use scissors to cut 4-by-1 1/2-inch strips of the plastic.

2. Sand both sides of the plastic strips with low-grit sand paper. Brush away any dust created by the sanding with your hand.

3. Place the strips of plastic in a card board box to protect the surrounding area from over spray. Spray paint both sides of the strips with spray paint. Let the first side dry before spraying the second. Let the second side dry completely before continuing.

4. Place one half of the self-adhesive fastener tape circle pairs on one end of the plastic strips. Flip the strips over and place the other half of the circle pairs on the other end of the strips.

5. Close each strip into a ring. Use a low-temperature hot glue gun to embellish the ring so the overlapping ends will be under the napkins when the table is set. You may create simple embellishments, such as bows made of ribbon or lace, or more complicated embellishments such as combining ribbon, lace and silk flowers. Keep in mind the occasion you are making the rings for if making them for a specific event.

Tips & Warnings

• Milk jugs and thin plastic bottles from bottled water, the kind that are crinkly, make for the best recycled-plastic napkin rings. You can use plastic that is a little stiffer, such as from yogurt containers, but you may need to permanently glue the ends of the strips together as fastener tape may not be strong enough to hold them closed.